48 research outputs found
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E among Boston Area Travelers, 2009-2010
We determined the prevalence of IgG antibodies to hepatitis E virus (anti-HEV IgG) among travelers
attending Boston-area travel health clinics from 2009 to 2010. Pre-travel samples were available for 1,356 travelers,
with paired pre- and post-travel samples for 450 (33%). Eighty of 1,356 (6%) pre-travel samples were positive
for anti-HEV IgG. Compared with participants who had never lived in nor traveled to a highly endemic
country, the pre-travel prevalence odds ratio (POR) of anti-HEV IgG among participants born in or with a history
of previous travel to a highly endemic country was increased (POR = 4.8, 95% CI = 2.3β10.3 and POR = 2.6,
95% CI = 1.4β5.0, respectively). Among participants with previous travel to a highly endemic country, anti-HEV
IgG was associated with age > 40 years (POR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.3β10.2) and travel history to β₯ 3 highly endemic
countries (POR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.2β5.9). Two participants may have contracted HEV infection during their
2009β2010 trip
Hepatitis E Epidemic, Uganda
In October 2007, an epidemic of hepatitis E was suspected in Kitgum District of northern Uganda where no previous epidemics had been documented. This outbreak has progressed to become one of the largest hepatitis E outbreaks in the world. By June 2009, the epidemic had caused illness in >10,196 persons and 160 deaths
Evaluation of Intra-Host Variants of the Entire Hepatitis B Virus Genome
Genetic analysis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) frequently involves study of intra-host variants, identification of which is commonly achieved using short regions of the HBV genome. However, the use of short sequences significantly limits evaluation of genetic relatedness among HBV strains. Although analysis of HBV complete genomes using genetic cloning has been developed, its application is highly labor intensive and practiced only infrequently. We describe here a novel approach to whole genome (WG) HBV quasispecies analysis based on end-point, limiting-dilution real-time PCR (EPLD-PCR) for amplification of single HBV genome variants, and their subsequent sequencing. EPLD-PCR was used to analyze WG quasispecies from serum samples of patients (nβ=β38) infected with HBV genotypes A, B, C, D, E and G. Phylogenetic analysis of the EPLD-isolated HBV-WG quasispecies showed the presence of mixed genotypes, recombinant variants and sub-populations of the virus. A critical observation was that HBV-WG consensus sequences obtained by direct sequencing of PCR fragments without EPLD are genetically close, but not always identical to the major HBV variants in the intra-host population, thus indicating that consensus sequences should be judiciously used in genetic analysis. Sequence-based studies of HBV WG quasispecies should afford a more accurate assessment of HBV evolution in various clinical and epidemiological settings
Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among human immunodeficiency virus-1-infected pregnant women in Malawi: The BAN study
In Sub-Saharan Africa, prevalence estimates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) vary widely
Hepatitis B virus infection among HIV-infected pregnant women in Malawi and transmission to infants
The extent of HBV infection to infants of HBV/HIV-coinfected pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of HBV infection among antiretroviral-naΓ―ve, HIV-infected pregnant women in Malawi and examine HBV transmission to their infants
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Hepatitis A and B among young persons who inject drugs--vaccination, past, and present infection.
BackgroundOur study aims were to assess hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) susceptibility and infection among young persons who inject drugs (PWID) who may have been vaccinated as children and to evaluate self-report of HAV and HBV vaccination.MethodsWe recruited PWID aged 18-40 years-old in San Diego during 2009 and 2010 and collected demographic, socioeconomic, health, and behavioral factors. Participants were asked if they had been vaccinated against HAV and HBV, and serum samples were collected for HAV and HBV serologic testing.ResultsOf 519 participants, 365 (72%) were male, 252 (49%) were white non-Hispanic, 38 (7%) were Black non-Hispanic, 138 (27%) were White Hispanic, and 22 (4%) were born outside the U. S. Of the total participants, 245 (47%) had surface hepatitis B antibody (anti-HBs) titers <10mIU/ml (i.e., HBV susceptible) and 325 (63%) had no detectable HAV antibodies (HAV susceptible). Hepatitis B surface antigen was detected in 7 (1%) of total participants; and 135 (26%) were anti-HCV-antibody positive. Compared to serologic findings, self-report of HBV and HAV vaccination was 71% and 41% sensitive, and 58% and 73% specific, respectively.ConclusionHAV and HBV antibodies in half or more of this young PWID population did not have levels indicative of protection, and about a quarter had HCV infection, putting them at risk for complications resulting from co-infection with HAV or HBV. Programs serving this population should vaccinate PWIDs against HAV and HBV and not rely on self-report of vaccination
Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Infections in United States-Bound Refugees from Asia and Africa
Photograph of a scene with Great Plains Chautauqua reenactors
Hepatitis E Virus among Persons Who Inject Drugs, San Diego, California, USA, 2009β2010
Data about prevalence of hepatitis E virus infection in persons who inject drugs are limited. Among 18β40-year-old persons who inject drugs in California, USA, prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis E virus was 2.7%. This prevalence was associated with age but not with homelessness, incarceration, or high-risk sexual behavior
Hepatitis E Virus Infection in HIV-infected Persons
To determine whether hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a cause of hepatitis among HIV-infected persons, we evaluated 1985β2009 data for US military beneficiaries. Evidence of acute or prior HEV infection was detected for 7 (4%) and 5 (3%) of 194 HIV-infected persons, respectively. HEV might be a cause of acute hepatitis among HIV-infected persons