Marked decrease in the incidence and prevalence of hepatitis A in the Basque Country, Spain, 1986–2004

The aim of this study was to determine changes in the epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in the Basque Country, Spain, and to evaluate their implications for vaccination strategies. A total of 1356 persons were enrolled in a study of the prevalence of anti-HAV in 2004 and compared with two previous studies (1986–1987 and 1992). The selection method and the characteristics of the population were similar in the three studies. A marked decline in the seroprevalence in all age groups (P<0·001) and in the incidence of cases/100000 inhabitants (from 38·0 in 1986–1988 to 2·9 in 2002–2004) were observed. The mean age of patients with hepatitis A increased from 17·7 years in 1986–1992 to 21·2 years in 1993–1998 and 25·3 years in 1999–2004 (P<0·001). Between 1997 and 2004, 20% of patients were hospitalized. The changes observed have occurred rapidly causing a change in the epidemiological pattern from middle-high endemicity (1986) to low endemicity (2004).

Download Full-text

Current Hepatitis A Status in Canada

Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1155/2001/834670 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 341-344 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Jun Wu ◽

Shimian Zou ◽

Antonio Giulivi

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis A ◽

Hepatitis A Virus ◽

Present Report ◽

Age Groups ◽

Current Status ◽

Industrialized Countries ◽

Subsequent Infection ◽

Route Of Transmission ◽

Sporadic Cases ◽

Epidemiological Pattern

Hepatitis A, caused by the hepatitis A virus, occurs most frequently in developing countries, but also causes sporadic cases or outbreaks in industrialized countries. The most common route of transmission is fecal-oral. The incidence of hepatitis A varies with geography, and economic and environmental conditions. The epidemiological pattern of the disease has changed with improvements in hygiene and economic conditions. The incidence and prevalence of hepatitis A has decreased, while the average age of exposure and subsequent infection has increased. The present report describes the current status of hepatitis A in Canada. The incidence rate of reported cases in Canada varies from over 10/100,000 (1991) to 3.6/100,000 (1998), and is higher in males, 4.7/100,000 (1998), than in females, 2.5/100,000 (1998). The highest reported hepatitis A rates are in age groups 30 to 39 years and 40 to 59 years, and in British Columbia. Such information is important for assessing current immunization approaches and for decision-making about new preventive strategies against hepatitis A in Canada.

Download Full-text

Increasing incidence of hepatitis A in Bangladesh

Bangladesh Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research ◽

10.3329/bjsir.v47i3.13065 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 309-312 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

MZ Amin ◽

LN Siddique ◽

MA Slatter ◽

KK Biswas

Keyword(s):

Liver Disease ◽

High Risk ◽

Chronic Liver Disease ◽

Hepatitis A ◽

Hepatitis A Virus ◽

Age Groups ◽

Hepatitis E ◽

Immunoglobulin M ◽

Chronic Liver ◽

High Risk Population

Hepatitis A (HAV) infection is caused by the hepatitis A virus which is transmitted through the fecal-oral route. Life long protective antibodies are present after infection. The number of cases of adult hepatitis A has progressively been increasing during the last several decades in Bangladesh. In addition, the pattern of age-specific seroprevalence of anti-HAV has changed with economic growth. The prevalence of anti-HAV in 20-40 year age range has declined rapidly during the last 3 decades. As a result, this age groups has a high risk for HAV infection and clinically overt hepatitis A is increasing in adolescents and adult. The aim of the present study were to assess whether the proportion of adults with acute HAV infection has been increasing over the years and analyze the seroprevalence of immunoglobulin M(IgM) anti- HAV antibodies in young adults below the age of 20 years as well as in cases of chronic liver disease. Sera collected from 530 patients with acute and chronic liver disease attends the Somorita Hospital Ltd. during the previous 2 years and 6 months (Jan. 2008- Jun. 2010) were tested for various serological markers of acute and chronic hepatitis. In addition, 530 normal healthy attendants of the patients above the age of 20 years were tested for IgM anti-HAV as controls. Of 530 patients with acute hepatitis (13.42%) were positive for immunoglobulin M. The patients who were IgM anti-HAV negative were found to be hepatitis B (106 patients), hepatitis C, (10 patients), hepatitis E (150 patients) and unclassified (273 patients). Although the frequency of HAV infection among young adult (< 20 age) had increased (33.33% to 42.35%) in the 2 years and 6 months period, the frequency of HAV infection among adults had also increased (15.38% to 28.13%) during the same period. This study should be helpful for the identification of high risk population for vaccination of hepatitis A. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsir.v47i3.13065 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 47(3), 309-312 2012

Download Full-text

Suspected spread of hepatitis A virus from a restaurant among adults in rural area of the Kerala state, India

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268819000967 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 147 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Y. K. Gurav ◽

G. Retheesh Babu ◽

K. P. Vinu ◽

K. S. Lole

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Hepatitis A ◽

Hepatitis A Virus ◽

Age Groups ◽

Hepatitis E ◽

First Case ◽

Positive Stool ◽

Co Morbidity ◽

Stool Samples ◽

Kerala State

AbstractIndia is experiencing a substantial decrease in early childhood exposure to hepatitis A virus (HAV). Kerala has experienced several hepatitis A outbreaks in young adults/adults in the recent past. The current hepatitis outbreak occurred in Nellikuzhi, Kerala state, India in December 2016. Investigation was carried by preparing a line list of suspected hepatitis cases. The blood and stool samples collected from patients were tested for anti-HAV/anti-Hepatitis E virus (HEV) immunoglobulin (IgM) antibodies and RNA respectively. A total of 562 suspected hepatitis cases were reported during the outbreak. Along with the first case (35 years, male), 86.1% (484/562) of the cases gave history of consuming food/water/cold drinks from one restaurant. Anti-HAV IgM positivity was 74.5% (73/98) in tested samples and amongst the positives, 81% were adults/young adults and adolescents. None of the samples tested positive for anti-HEV IgM. There were three HAV associated deaths without any co-morbidity. Sequence analysis of HAV RNA positive stool samples showed the presence of genotype IIIA HAV. The suspected source of the infection was a private well situated in the premise of a restaurant. Considering increasing HAV naive population in Kerala, there is a need to introduce hepatitis A vaccine in high-risk age groups.

Download Full-text

Comparative hepatitis A seroepidemiology in 10 European countries

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268812000015 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 140 (12) ◽

pp. 2172-2181 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

S. KURKELA ◽

R. PEBODY ◽

G. KAFATOS ◽

N. ANDREWS ◽

C. BARBARA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Burden ◽

Hepatitis A ◽

Hepatitis A Virus ◽

Age Groups ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Vaccination Policy ◽

Laboratory Results ◽

Children And Young Adults ◽

Middle Aged Adults ◽

Local Laboratory

SUMMARYThe WHO recommends hepatitis A virus (HAV) immunization according to level of transmission and disease burden. We aimed to identify susceptible age groups by standardized serosurveys to inform HAV vaccination policy in participating countries: Belgium, Czech Republic, England, Finland, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Romania, and Slovakia. Each country tested national serum banks (n = 1854–6748), collected during 1996–2004, for anti-HAV antibodies. Local laboratory results were standardized to common units. Forty-one per cent of those aged <30 years and 6% of those aged ⩾30 years were susceptible to HAV in Romania; compared to 70–94% and 26–71%, respectively, elsewhere. Romania reported high HAV incidence in children and young adults. Other countries reported HAV disease primarily in older risk groups. The results suggest low level of HAV transmission in most of Europe. Romania, however, appeared as an area with intermediate transmission. Vaccination of risk groups in countries with high susceptibility of young and middle-aged adults needs to be continued.

Download Full-text

Person-to-Person Transmission of Hepatitis A Virus in an Urban Area of Intermediate Endemicity: Implications for Vaccination Strategies

American Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/aje/kwj029 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 163 (3) ◽

pp. 204-210 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

J. C. Victor ◽

T. Y. Surdina ◽

S. Z. Suleimenova ◽

M. O. Favorov ◽

B. P. Bell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Urban Area ◽

Hepatitis A ◽

Hepatitis A Virus ◽

Vaccination Strategies ◽

Intermediate Endemicity

Download Full-text

RECENT CHANGES OF HEPATITIS A EPIDEMIOLOGY IN RUSSIA AND EUROPE AS THE RATIONALES FOR PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases (Russian Journal) ◽

10.17816/eid40643 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 28-34

Author(s):

V. P. Chulanov ◽

N. N. Pimenov ◽

I. V. Karandashova ◽

S. V. Komarova

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis A ◽

Hepatitis A Virus ◽

Molecular Genetic ◽

Critical Role ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

Age Groups ◽

Control Measures ◽

Prevention Strategies ◽

Molecular Genetic Diversity

The article describes results of the analysis of incidence rate of hepatitis A in Russia and 29 European countries over the period 2001 to 2008. The characteristic of hepatitis A outbreaks as well as molecular genetic diversity of hepatitis A virus in Russia and Europe has been compared. The authors analyze the state of herd immunity to hepatitis A virus in population of the territories of countries mentioned above. The results of seroprevalence study of hepatitis A virus among different age groups in Moscow are presented. The critical role of hepatitis A vaccination in the system of prevention and disease control measures is emphasized.

Download Full-text

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A virus according to age groups in Northern Anatolia of Turkey

Akademik Gastroenteroloji Dergisi ◽

10.17941/agd.1055281 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Tolga DÜZENLİ

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis A ◽

Hepatitis A Virus ◽

Age Groups

Download Full-text

Seroprevalence Rates of Hepatitis A Virus in Different Age Groups in the Province of Kırşehir and a Review of the Literature

Viral Hepatitis Journal ◽

10.4274/vhd.25238 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 72-75

Author(s):

Tülin DEMİR ◽

Meral TURAN

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis A ◽

Hepatitis A Virus ◽

Age Groups ◽

Review Of The Literature

Download Full-text

Reference Values for Handgrip Strength in the Basque Country Elderly Population

Biology ◽

10.3390/biology9120414 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 414

Author(s):

Xabier Río ◽

Arkaitz Larrinaga-Undabarrena ◽

Aitor Coca ◽

Myriam Guerra-Balic

Keyword(s):

Reference Values ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Basque Country ◽

Age Distribution ◽

Age Groups ◽

City Council ◽

Mean Values ◽

Sample Data ◽

Health Promoting ◽

The Mean

Strength training is currently the most recommended primary therapeutic strategy to prevent and reverse the decline of muscle mass, strength, and functional deterioration associated with age. The aim is to provide reference values of handgrip strength (HGS) in the Basque Country population and compare the values with other populations. A total of 1869 subjects from the health-promoting programme for adults and older adults run by the Bilbao City Council were assessed using HGS with a digital dynamometer and anthropometric data measured by Tanita to obtain the mean values according to age distribution. From the 1869 subjects, 87.5% were women and 12.5% men. The HGS was higher among men than women, 32.4 ± 6.6 versus 20.1 ± 4.7 kg, respectively, p < 0.001 at all ages. Weak HGS cut-off points by age groups ranged from 31.0 to 23.8 and from 18.9 to 12.4 in men and women, respectively. The sample data were compared (d, t, and α) with those of other populations in all age groups (group > 60 years at 95% df, p < 0.05). A health-promoting programme appears to be effective in the general population in obtaining better values in the HGS test as age increases.

Download Full-text