Emergence of New Epidemiological Hepatitis B and C Profiles in High Risk Groups in Latin America

Latin America includes Mexico, the islands of the Caribbean and Central and South America, which possess a rich cultural and natural heritage. A narrative literature review was made to determine epidemiological hepatitis B and C profiles in high risk groups in Latin America, such as, drug users, hemophiliacs, and chronic kidney disease (CKD), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals. Using data from international databases that disseminate published quality studies. All studies with desired information regarding site and study population were included. It was observed that HBV prevalence diminished in several groups, probably due to implementation of HBV vaccination in various Latin America Countries (LACs). On the other hand, HCV prevalence is high among high risk groups compared to general population, but different values were observed in LAC, probably due to different access to education programs, assays evaluated, population size and type of recruitment. Due to chronicity of HBV and HCV, it is important to increase access to diagnosis, HBV vaccination and implementation of education programs to high risk groups to diminish burden of these infections

Aspectos demográficos, socioeconômicos e epidemiológicos da COVID-19 na Região da Sub-Bacia do Canal do Cunha, Rio de Janeiro

The objective of this study was to analyze the COVID-19 incidence of and mortality in a population from a territorial area with a predominance of neighborhoods with slum areas (subnormal settlements), and its relationship with contextual variables. We analyzed 36 neighborhoods of the Canal do Cunha Sub-basin that presented 30,008 deaths by COVID-19 until February 5, 2021. Cumulative incidence, cumulative mortality, and cumulative lethality rates were considered as dependent variables. Contextual variables included patient neighborhood; proportion of ASN by neighborhoods, percentage of black and brown people, age group; income ratio, and sanitation indices. The variables were analyzed descriptively, bivariately by Spearman correlation, and Moran's spatial statistics were performed. The Complexo do Alemão, Mangueira, and Maré neighborhoods had the highest proportions of cases and deaths from COVI-19. The percentage of infection in the 20 to 29, 30 to 39, and 40 to 49 age groups were 13.6%, 21.5%, and 20.1%, respectively. In the 70 to 79 age group was 7.3% of the total COVID-19 cases, and 26.7% deaths and 34.2% lethality rate. When added the records of black and brown people with those without records for color/race there was significant positive moderate correlation between the cumulative incidence rate and mortality rate (rho = 0.383; p=0.048 and rho= 0.3176; p= 0.0106). The global and local Moran's spatial statistical evaluation allowed to verify intermediate and medium priority areas that need to strengthen the surveillance and control system of COVID-19. The epidemiological situation of an area with a high percentage of slum areas showed that mortality by COVID-19 in black and brown people is related to demographic aspects and that there is low notification of cases and deaths attributed to COVID-19 in residents of areas with slums.Objetivo desse estudo foi analisar a incidência e mortalidade por COVID-19 em população de área territorial com predominância de bairros com áreas de favelas (aglomerados subnormais), e sua relação com variáveis contextuais. Foram analisados 36 bairros da Sub-bacia do Canal do Cunha que apresentaram 30.008 óbitos por COVID-19 até o dia 05 de fevereiro de 2021. Considerou-se como variáveis dependentes as taxas de incidência acumulada, mortalidade acumulada e letalidade acumulada. Entre as variáveis contextuais, foram incluídas bairro do paciente; proporção de ASN por bairros, percentual de pretos e pardos, faixa etária; razão de renda, e índices de saneamento. As variáveis foram analisadas de forma descritiva, bivariada pela correlação de Spearman e utilizado a estatística espacial de Moran. Os bairros Complexo do Alemão, Mangueira e Maré foram que apresentaram as maiores proporções de casos e óbitos por COVI-19. O percentual de infecção nas faixas de 20 a 29 anos, 30 a 39 anos e 40 a 49 anos foram de 13,6%, 21.5% e 20,1%, respectivamente. Na faixa etária entre 70 e 79 anos foi 7,3% do total de casos de COVID-19, e 26,7%  de óbitos e 34,2% taxa de letalidade. Quando somado os registros de pessoas pretas e parda com os sem registro para cor/raça houve correlação moderada positiva significativa entre a taxa de incidência acumulada e a taxa de mortalidade  (rho = 0,383; p=0,048 e rho= 0,3176; p=0,0106). A avaliação estatística espacial global e local de Moran permitiu verificar áreas de prioridade intermediárias e médias que necessitam reforçar o sistema de vigilância e controle da COVID-19. A situação epidemiológica de área com grande percentual de áreas favelas mostrou que a mortalidade por COVID-19 em pessoas pretas e pardas está relacionada a aspectos demográficos e que ocorre baixa notificação de casos e de óbitos atribuídas ao COVID-19 em moradores de áreas com favelas

Applicability of Oral Fluid and Dried Blood Spot for Hepatitis B Virus Diagnosis

Submitted by Sandra Infurna ([email protected]) on 2019-08-27T15:51:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 GeaneFlores_HelenaCruz_etal_IOC_2019.pdf: 1644866 bytes, checksum: a657dc768b5410107e82a737c8a12990 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Sandra Infurna ([email protected]) on 2019-08-27T15:58:16Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 GeaneFlores_HelenaCruz_etal_IOC_2019.pdf: 1644866 bytes, checksum: a657dc768b5410107e82a737c8a12990 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2019-08-27T15:58:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 GeaneFlores_HelenaCruz_etal_IOC_2019.pdf: 1644866 bytes, checksum: a657dc768b5410107e82a737c8a12990 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2019Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Hepatites Virais. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Ceará. Campus Fortaleza. Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Hepatites Virais. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Muniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Hepatites Virais. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major causes of chronic liver disease worldwide; however most of individuals are not aware about the infection. Oral fluid and dried blood spot (DBS) samples may be an alternative to serum to HBV diagnosis to increase the access to diagnosis in remote areas or high-risk groups. The main objective of this review is to give an insight about the usefulness of oral fluid and DBS for detecting HBV markers. Several groups have evaluated the detection of HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HBs markers in oral fluid and DBS samples demonstrating 13 to 100% of sensitivity and specificity according different groups, sample collectors, and diagnosis assays. In the same way, HBV DNA detection using oral fluid and DBS samples demonstrate different values of sensitivity according type of collection, studied group, extraction, and detection methods. Thus, serological and molecular diagnostic tests demonstrated good performance for detecting HBV using oral fluid and DBS according some characteristics and could be useful to increase the access to the diagnosis of HBV

Cross-Sectional Study to Determine the Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infection in High Risk Groups in the Northeast Region of Brazil

Background: HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) and HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) infections are more prevalent in vulnerable populations than the general population. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection in HIV-positive patients (GI), chronic renal failure (CRF) patients (GII) and coagulation disorder individuals (GIII). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2014 to March 2015. Serum samples were tested for markers of hepatitis B and C by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sociodemographic, epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data and accompanying statistical analyses were performed using Epi Info™ 7. Results: A total of 348 individuals were recruited, i.e., 154 HIV-positive, 143 CRF and 51 coagulopathy patients. Among them, more than 66% were men, and the predominant age group was 26–35 years in GI and 56–65 years in GIII. Most patients had more than 8 years of education (66.2% in GI, 60.6% in GIII and 46.1% in GII), with a family income between 100–400 dollars in more than 48% of patients. The prevalence of the HBsAg marker was 3.9%, 7% and 3.9%, total anti-HBc was 28.6%, 55.9% and 31.4%, and anti-HCV was 1.3%, 12.6% and 47% for GI, GII and GIII, respectively. However, the prevalence of anti-HBs was greater than 70% in all groups. Conclusions: This study shows a high prevalence of HBV and HCV among specific groups compared to the general population. Factors such as age, income, number of sexual partners, sexually transmitted disease burden, blood transfusion history or blood products and blood transfusions before 1994 were associated with a higher prevalence for these infections

Detection of occult hepatitis B in serum and oral fluid samples

<div><p>In occult hepatitis B infection (OBI), hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) can be detected in serum samples; however, oral fluid collection for detection of HBV DNA has not yet been explored, despite the availability of collection devices. Serum and oral fluid samples from 45 hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc)-positive patients were collected for the amplification of the HBV polymerase gene. HBV DNA was detected in five serum and four oral fluid samples (the detection limit for oral fluid was 1.656 log IU/mL in paired serum). In conclusion, simple methodologies of sample collection and in-house polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allowed detection of HBV DNA, and these could be used to improve the diagnosis of OBI, especially in locations with limited resources.</p></div