Prevalence of Hepatitis A Virus Antibody in Portuguese Travelers: A New Paradigm

Authors

  • Sónia Rocha Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.
  • Sandra Tejo Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.
  • Eugénia Ferreira Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.
  • Luís Trindade Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.
  • Eduardo Rabadão Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.
  • Nuno Marques Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.
  • José Saraiva da Cunha Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.8130

Keywords:

Hepatitis A, Hepatitis A Antibodies, Hepatitis A Virus, Human, Portugal, Seroepidemiologic Studies, Travel, Travel Medicine, Viral Vaccines

Abstract

Introduction: In Portugal, the prevalence of hepatitis A virus infection has decreased in the past decades, especially in young adults. The aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of antibody to hepatitis A virus in a population observed in our Travel Clinic.
Material and Methods: Antibodies against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus were tested using standard enzyme immunoassay in patients older than 18. The exclusion criteria were: prior vaccination for hepatitis A virus, previous diagnosis of infection with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and/or human immunodeficiency virus, foreign travelers and long-term expatriates. We applied an epidemiological survey and data was statistically analyzed with SPSS® 18.0.
Results: In the 665 travelers studied, natural immunity to hepatitis A virus was present in 57.6% (n = 383). They were stratified into 8 age groups and for each one hepatitis A immunity was clarified: 5.0% (n = 1) in 18 - 25 years, 32.3% (n = 21) in 26 - 30 years, 40.9% (n = 47) in 31 - 35 years, 45.8% (n = 54) in 36 - 40 years, 68.7% (n = 79) in 41 - 45 years, 70.1% (n = 68) in 46 - 50 years, 80.8% (n = 63) in 51 - 55 years and 87.7% (n = 50) over 56 years old. In those who accepted further screening, positivity for hepatitis B core antibody was found in 0.6% (n = 3) travelers, hepatitis C virus infection in 1.1% (n = 6) and human immunodeficiency virus infection in 0.5% (n = 3) whose previous status was unknown. The most frequent travel destination was sub-Saharan Africa (72.6%; n = 483).
Discussion: We found 49.1% (n = 260) travelers under 50 years old susceptible to hepatitis A virus infection and for those between 40 and 50 years, 30.7% (n = 65) still need vaccine protection.
Conclusion: Across age groups there is a trend towards lower prevalence of hepatitis A virus antibody, in particular among youngsters, when compared with older Portuguese studies.

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Author Biographies

Sónia Rocha, Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.

Interna de Formação Específica de Infeciologia, Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas

Sandra Tejo, Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.

Enfermeira, Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas

Eugénia Ferreira, Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.

Assistente Hospitalar, Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas

Luís Trindade, Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.

Assistente Hospitalar Graduado, Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas

Eduardo Rabadão, Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.

Assistente Hospitalar Graduado, Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas

Nuno Marques, Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.

Assistente Hospitalar, Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas

José Saraiva da Cunha, Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.

Diretor de Serviço, Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas

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Published

2017-08-31

How to Cite

1.
Rocha S, Tejo S, Ferreira E, Trindade L, Rabadão E, Marques N, Saraiva da Cunha J. Prevalence of Hepatitis A Virus Antibody in Portuguese Travelers: A New Paradigm. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2017 Aug. 31 [cited 2024 Nov. 13];30(7-8):534-40. Available from: https://actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/8130