Serologic indices of hepatitis B virus infection in military recruits in Greece (2004–2005)

Abstract

BackgroundThe prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in Greece has been decreasing over the last decades. However, recent epidemiological data are lacking.MethodsWe studied 1,840 Army recruits from 05/2004 until 10/2005, and performed serological testing for HBsAg, anti-HBsAg, and anti-HBcAg. We also examined their association with several factors, including age, residential area, socioeconomic class, and educational level.ResultsMean age (± SD) of the recruits was 20.5 (± 2.1) years. Antibodies to HBV core antigen [anti-HBcAg (+)] were found in 31 (1.68%) of 1,840 participants. Only 6 (0.32%) were HBsAg (+)/anti-HBsAg (-)/anti-HBcAg (+), while 21 (1.14%) were HBsAg (-)/anti-HBsAg (+)/anti-HBcAg (+), and 4 (0.22%) were HBsAg (-)/anti-HBsAg (-)/anti-HBcAg (+). Overall, 1,144 recruits (62.17%) had antibodies against HBsAg [HBsAg (-)/anti-HBsAg (+)/anti-HBcAg (-)]; 665 recruits (36.14%) had undetectable anti-HBsAg levels. Multivariable analysis showed that younger age (OR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.82–0.92) and advanced educational level (OR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.32–1.93) were independently associated with serologic evidence suggestive of previous HBV vaccination.ConclusionWe document a further decline of the prevalence of chronic HBV infection among Greek military recruits, a fact that may support the effectiveness of the ongoing immunization programme.

Seroprevalence of HBV and HCV markers among young adult males in the Air Force in Florianópolis, South Brazil

“…This rate, although lower, is similar to the rate in Greece (62.2%) in 17-to 34-year-olds (German et al, 2006) and higher than the rate in the USA (31.5%) in 18-to 35-year-olds (Scott et al, 2005); both studies utilized military recruits and took place 10 years after mandatory hepatitis B immunization was established. As previously mentioned, anti-HBs titers may have decreased over the years, thus suggesting that many more than 40.7% of the subjects may be immunized.…”

Couverture vaccinale contre l’hépatite virale B et prévalence de l’antigène HBs dans une profession à risque: étude transversale portant sur 244 sapeurs-pompiers de la ville d’Abidjan

“…Ces résultats témoignent de l'endémicité de cette affection en Côte-d'Ivoire et du caractère à risque que constitue la profession de sapeurs-pompiers. Dans les populations militaires en Occident [11,12,14,15], la préva-lence de l'antigène HBs était faible, variant de 0 à 6,6 %, corrélée à la faible endémicité de ce virus dans ces régions. Tous les patients porteurs de l'antigène HBs étaient anticorps anti-HBe positif et antigène HBe négatif.…”

Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis B in Greek Children 6 Years After the Implementation of Universal Vaccination

“…Recently, a small survey on adolescents 15-19 years old showed a 78.4% complete coverage against hepatitis B [19]. A serosurvey among army recruits performed in 1997 found that only 1.3% had detectable anti-HBs antibodies indicating the low vaccine coverage among young adults [20], whereas a recent survey (2004)(2005) found that 62.17% of army recruits had postvaccine immunity [21], supporting the effectiveness of the ongoing immunization program. In Greece, we still have to make an effort to increase hepatitis B vaccination coverage since other countries report significantly higher coverage rates and WHO reports that in Europe the vaccine coverage is 76% [22].…”