Seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus infection in different age groups of children

Abstract

Context: Hepatitis A is one of the most common causes of hepatitis in the pediatric age group and the most common cause of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) among children in India. Hepatitis A is a waterborne disease. High endemicity obviates the need for vaccine in the community. Aims: We studied 116 children in the outpatient department (OPD) to know the seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV), total antibodies, and the effect of various demographic and water sanitation variables on it. Settings and Design: Children attending the pediatric OPD with minor problems in a medical college hospital were chosen for this study. It is a descriptive, cross-sectional, and seroepidemiologic investigative study. Materials and Methods: Blood samples of randomly selected children were collected and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was done for the detection of total anti-HAV antibodies, [both immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG)], using a commercially available ELISA kit. "Dia.Pro" (Diagnostic Bioprobes srl via Columella n° 31 20128 Millano, Italy). Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was performed by the chi-square test using Epi Info software 3.5.4 version (2012) [Center for disease control and prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia (USA)]. Results: Seroprevalence in children from the upper social class was 54.5% versus 87.2% in the lower social class (P = 0.00075). 90.9% of the children with rural background were seropositive compared to 77.1% of children with urban background. The mother's education above and below secondary level had a seropositivity for HAV in children up to 69.23% and 87.1%, respectively. The method of water treatment using boiled water, mechanical iltration, iltration plus ultraviolet (UV) light treatment, and no treatment had a seropositivity of 50.0%, 83.33%, 37.5%, and 84%, respectively, (P = 0.0036). Seropositivity was the highest when the water source was municipal bore well pipeline (88.88%), followed by municipal dam water through pipeline (79.16%), and personal bore well (68.16%) (P = 0.026). Conclusion: Children of this geographical area have high seroprevalence for HAV antibodies at a younger age with a signi icant difference between their social classes, water sources, and water treatment methods.

Increasing Burden of Hepatitis A in Adolescents and Adults and the Need for Long-Term Protection: A Review from the Indian Subcontinent

“…Low endemicity regions are high-income countries with good sanitation and hygienic conditions (infection rates are low, i.e., < 50% by age 30 years). Due to poor sanitary conditions and access to clean water, most of the population in developing countries is infected in early childhood (i.e., seroprevalence up to about 90% in children), classifying the regions as highly endemic [1, 6]. In some countries, like India, parts of the populations have recently undergone rapid socioeconomic development, which may have an impact on endemicity shift and the resulting burden of disease [1].…”

Clinician&#39;s Perspective on the Use of Hepatitis A Vaccine in Indian Children

“…9 According to the World Health Organization (WHO) position paper 10 published in 2012, transition from high to intermediate endemicity of hepatitis A leads to increased risk of clinically significant hepatitis. Overall, epidemiological data, difficulty in diagnosis of infection in small children due to asymptomatic nature or non-specific symptoms, 4 and risk of disease severity with increasing age underline the importance of prevention of hepatitis A in the community.…”

“…3 Another study reported higher seroprevalence in rural and urban areas (90.9 vs 77.1%, respectively) and children from all socioeconomic strata (lower social class 87.2% vs higher social class 54.5%). 4 Hepatitis A virus is transmitted through fecooral route and represents an important cause of acute viral liver disease and most common cause of fulminant hepatic failure among children in India, 4 which can be life-threatening. The coexistence of heterogeneous pockets of exposed and unexposed individuals in different social classes and regions within country makes population prone for outbreaks.…”

Karabük ilinde çocuk hastalarda hepatit A, B ve C seroprevalansı

“…Çocuklarda hastalık kronikleşme olmaksızın iyi prognoza sahiptir. En korkulan komplikasyonu akut karaciğer yetmezliğidir (1,2).…”

“…Çocuklarda hastalık kronikleşme olmaksızın iyi prognoza sahiptir. En korkulan komplikasyonu akut karaciğer yetmezliğidir (1,2). Hepatit B virüsü (HBV) ve hepatit C virüsü (HCV) enfeksiyonları, asemptomatik enfeksiyondan siroza ve hepatoselüler karsinomaya kadar geniş klinik spektrumda olan önemli halk sağlığı problemleridir (3).…”