Very low prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in rural communities of northeastern Brazil with a high prevalence of schistosomiasis mansoni

Tavares-Neto, José; Prata, Áluízio; Paraná, Raymundo; Valente, Vanderléia Bárbaro; Vitvitski, L.; Figueiredo, J F C

doi:10.1590/s0037-86822005000400002

Cited by 11 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The very low frequency of HCV carriers (0.4%) observed for the population of Cavunge not only corroborates the findings of Tavares-Neto et al (2005) [7], but also seems to be typical of rural areas in northeastern Brazil.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…In Brazil, knowledge on hepatitis A, B and C still presents gaps, especially in the Brazilian northeastern region, where population prevalence studies among rural populations are scarce [7]. Several factors observed in Brazil involving geographic region, socioeconomic situation, racial and cultural differences, among others, lead us to believe that there are significant differences in the prevalence of these viruses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The prevalence of hepatotrophic viruses in the Brazilian northeastern semiarid region, where the village of Cavunge is located, should be better evaluated, since few population based studies have been made in that region [2,7]. In contrast, there is a high prevalence of hepatotrophic viruses in the Amazon region with virological peculiarities, such as genotype F of HBV [8,9] and hepatitis D virus [10].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Serological markers of hepatitis A, B and C viruses in rural communities of the semiarid Brazilian Northeast

Almeida¹,

Tavares-Neto²,

Vitvitski³

et al. 2006

Braz J Infect Dis

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Serological markers of hepatitis A, B and C viruses in rural communities of the semiarid Brazilian Northeast

Almeida¹,

Tavares-Neto²,

Vitvitski³

et al. 2006

Braz J Infect Dis

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“…In Brazil, few epidemiological studies have been carried out on hepatotropic viruses in rural areas [13]; most studies describing the prevalence of anti-HBc have been restricted to blood donors living in urban centers [14,15].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occult B infection in the Brazilian northeastern region: a preliminary report

Almeida¹,

Tavares-Neto²,

Trépo

et al. 2008

Braz J Infect Dis

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A sentinel study on viral hepatitis is currently being carried out in the village of Cavunge in a semiarid rural region of the state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil. This study has identified individuals in whom anti-HBc IgG was the only serological marker for hepatitis B virus (HBV). This serological pattern may constitute evidence of occult HBV infection. This study Investigated the possibility of occult hepatitis B virus infection in individuals in a rural community who tested positive for anti-HBc IgG alone. A cross-sectional population-based study. ELISA III was performed on serum samples to test for serological viral markers, and ultrasensitive PCR (US-PCR) was used to assess viremia. Among the 1,536 serum samples, 3.6% (n=55) were positive for anti-HBc alone. Four years after this first serological survey, 31 of those 55 individuals (56.3%) were retested, and 11 (35.5%) remained anti-HBc positive alone. Two of these 31 (6.5%) were HBV-DNA positive based on US-PCR, with normal aminotransferase levels in both cases. Cases of occult hepatitis B infection were identified in this semiarid rural community of northeastern Brazil, where endemicity of HBV is moderate. Key-Words: Anti-HBc alone, hepatitis B virus, occult hepatitis B, ultrasensitive PCR.Approximately 400 million people worldwide are chronic hepatitis B carriers. Despite vaccination, serological tests performed in hemotherapy services, and programs for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections, the number of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected individuals remains high, with prevalence ranging from 0.1% to 20% [1].The serological marker most widely used to detect exposure to HBV is HBcAg IgG; however, this marker is unable to define the status of the HBV carrier [2]. In individuals in whom antibody against the core protein (anti-HBc IgG) is the only positive marker, there are various possible explanations for false-positive test results, including patients with past, resolved infection, in whom the antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) is not present, occult HBV infection due to mutation of the S gene, or very low viral replication [3]. In this last hypothesis, analysis for HBV-DNA is considered the most sensitive diagnostic method [4].Clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) generally indicates seroconversion to anti-HBs and consequent remission of HBV infection [5]. However, several researchers have shown that seroconversion to anti-HBs is not necessarily indicative of virological cure. In this case, an occult, silent or latent hepatitis B infection may be characterized by presence of viral DNA alone, while the patient tests negative for HBsAg or anti-HBc [6]. A clear example is the diagnosis of this infection in patients with chronic hepatitis of undefined etiology (cryptogenic hepatitis), comorbid hepatitis C virus (HCV), HIV carriers, patients with chronic renal failure or patients with hepatocellular carcinoma [7,8]. There are also case reports of hepatitis B transmission following blood transfusion or organ donation...

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“…mansoni co-infection in SM endemic areas and the risk factors associated with increased susceptibility for HCV infection in a S. mansoni-infected person, especially in the HS form. 2,4,7,49 The worldwide relevance of the hepatitis C and schistosomiasis association as a public health issue is mainly due to the severe clinical patterns and high morbidity associated with it, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to perform a systematic review of the prevalence of the HCV/S.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between Schistosomiasis mansoni and hepatitis C: systematic review

et al. 2013

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OBJECTIVE:To perform a systematic review of the prevalence of the HCV/S. mansoni co-infection and associated factors in Schistosoma mansoni-infected populations. METHODS:The bibliographic search was carried out using the Medline, Lilacs, SciELO, Cochrane Library and Ibecs databases. The criteria for the studies' selection and the extraction data were based on systematic review methods. Forty fi ve studies were found, with nine being excluded in a fi rst screening. Thirteen articles were used for data extraction. RESULTS:The HCV infection rates in schistosomiasis populations range from 1% in Ethiopia to 50% in Egypt. Several studies had poorly defi ned methodologies, even in areas characterized by an association between hepatitis C and schistosomiasis, such as Brazil and Egypt, which meant conclusions were inconsistent. HCV infection rates in schistosomotic populations were heterogeneous and risk factors for acquiring the virus varied widely. CONCLUSIONS:Despite the limitations, this review may help to identify regions with higher rates of hepatitis C and schistosomiasis association. However, more studies are necessary for the development of public health policies on prevention and control of both diseases.

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Very low prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in rural communities of northeastern Brazil with a high prevalence of schistosomiasis mansoni

Abstract: The association of hepatitis C virus infection and the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis mansoni has been claimed to result in the concomitant (1976 -1996)

Cited by 11 publications

References 17 publications

Serological markers of hepatitis A, B and C viruses in rural communities of the semiarid Brazilian Northeast

Serological markers of hepatitis A, B and C viruses in rural communities of the semiarid Brazilian Northeast

Occult B infection in the Brazilian northeastern region: a preliminary report

Association between Schistosomiasis mansoni and hepatitis C: systematic review

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