6 research outputs found
Epidemiological pattern and mortality rates for hepatitis A in Brazil, 1980-2002: a review
Serological evidence of hepatitis E virus infection in different animal species from the Southeast of Brazil
Epidemiological pattern and mortality rates for hepatitis A in Brazil, 1980-2002 - A Review
The prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is high in
developing countries, in which low standards of sanitation promote the
transmission of the virus. In Latin America, which is considered an
area of high HAV endemicity, most HAV-positive individuals are infected
in early childhood. However, recent studies have shown that prevalence
rates are decreasing. Herein, we review the data on HAV prevalence and
outbreaks available in scientific databases. We also use official
government data in order to evaluate mortality rates in Brazil over the
last two decades. Studies conducted in the northernmost regions of
Brazil have indicated that, although improved hygiene has led to a
reduction in childhood exposure to HAV, the greatest exposure still
occurs early in life. In the Southeastern region, the persistence of
circulating HAV has generated outbreaks among individuals of low
socioeconomic status, despite adequate sanitation. Nationwide,
hepatitis A mortality rates declined progressively from 1980 to 2002.
During that period, mortality rates in the Northern region consistently
exceeded the mean national rate and those for other regions. Excluding
the North, the rates in all regions were comparable. Nevertheless, the
trend toward decline observed in the South was paralleled by a similar
trend in the North
Serological evidence of hepatitis E virus infection in different animal species from the Southeast of Brazil
Serological evidence of hepatitis E virus infection (HEV) has been
observed in both humans and different animal species living in
non-endemic areas, suggesting that animals could be important reservoir
for virus transmission to man. Antibodies to HEV have been detected in
some Brazilian population groups. Nevertheless, sporadic cases of acute
HEV infection have never been reported. We collected 271 serum samples
from several domestic animals and also from pig handlers from Southeast
of Brazil in order to investigate the seroprevalence of HEV infection.
Anti-HEV IgG was detected in cows (1.42%), dogs (6.97%), chickens
(20%), swines (24.3%), and rodents (50%), as well as in pig handlers
(6.3%). The recognition of swine HEV infections in pigs in many
countries of the world led us to investigate a larger sample of pigs (n
= 357) from the same Brazilian region with ages ranging from 1 to >
25 weeks. IgG anti-HEV was detected in 100% of 7-day old pigs.
Following a gradual decline between weeks 2 and 8 (probably due to loss
of maternal IgG), the prevalence then steady increased until it reached
97.3% of animals older than 25 weeks. Besides the detection of anti-HEV
antibodies in different animal species, the results showed that swine
HEV infection seems to be almost universal within this Brazilian pig
population. This is the first report that shows evidences of HEV
circulation in Brazilian animal species and pig handlers