Serologic indices of hepatitis B virus infection in military recruits in Greece (2004–2005)

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in Greece has been decreasing over the last decades. However, recent epidemiological data are lacking. METHODS: We studied 1,840 Army recruits from 05/2004 until 10/2005, and performed serological testing for HBsAg, anti-HBsAg, and anti-HBcAg. We also examined their association with several factors, including age, residential area, socioeconomic class, and educational level. RESULTS: Mean age (± SD) of the recruits was 20.5 (± 2.1) years. Antibodies to HBV core antigen [anti-HBcAg (+)] were found in 31 (1.68%) of 1,840 participants. Only 6 (0.32%) were HBsAg (+)/anti-HBsAg (-)/anti-HBcAg (+), while 21 (1.14%) were HBsAg (-)/anti-HBsAg (+)/anti-HBcAg (+), and 4 (0.22%) were HBsAg (-)/anti-HBsAg (-)/anti-HBcAg (+). Overall, 1,144 recruits (62.17%) had antibodies against HBsAg [HBsAg (-)/anti-HBsAg (+)/anti-HBcAg (-)]; 665 recruits (36.14%) had undetectable anti-HBsAg levels. Multivariable analysis showed that younger age (OR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.82–0.92) and advanced educational level (OR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.32–1.93) were independently associated with serologic evidence suggestive of previous HBV vaccination. CONCLUSION: We document a further decline of the prevalence of chronic HBV infection among Greek military recruits, a fact that may support the effectiveness of the ongoing immunization programme

Relation Between Blood Groups and Hepatitis Associated Antigen Carrier State

Abstract. The relation of HAA carrier state to ABO and rhesus blood groups was investigated in a sample of 10,068 healthy Greek recruits. Although the frequency of HAA carriers was highest in the AB blood group, it did not differ significantly from the other ABO blood groups. No relation was found between rhesus blood group and HAA carrier state. It is suggested that factors closely associated with ABO and rhesus blood groups do not appear to be of importance for the genesis of the HAA carrier state. © 1973 Blackwell Publishing Lt

Epidemiologic study of the modes of spread of viral hepatitis in greece

We studied the possible correlation of VH morbidity or HBsAg carrier rate with the prevalence of malaria and enteric among the 50 geographical regions of Greece. Malaria was considered as an index of mosquito density and enteric as an index of the local hygienic conditions. Morbidity data on the studied reportable diseases for the period 1954-73 and the HBsAg carrier rate (4.7%) among 17, 991 recruits of the Greek Air Force, coming from all the geographical regions of Greece, were used. The statistical analysis of our data showed that VH morbidity (which is mainly hepatitis A) is significantly correlated with enteric morbidity, while HBsAg carrier rate with malaria. Our data support the significance of the role of mosquitoes in the spread of HB at least under the prevailing conditions in Greece. © 1976 Oxford University Press

CYTOPLASMIC LOCALISATION OF AUSTRALIA ANTIGEN IN THE LIVER

Australia (Au) antigen was detected by immunofluorescence in liver specimens from 9 patients with chronic liver disease and circulating Au antigen, and from 22 Au-antigen carriers with histologically normal livers. This antigen was not found in the livers of 23 seronegative patients. Au antigen was located in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. No nuclear fluorescence specific for Au antigen was detected. The number of fluorescent liver cells and the intensity of fluorescence were much greater in Au-antigen carriers than in patients with liver disease. No γ-globulin or β-1C was found in any the liver specimens. These results agree with the view that Au antigen may be a virus-coat material produced in excess in the cytoplasm of liver cells and suggest that its presence in the liver is unrelated to do cytopathic effects of hepatitis virus B. Most apparently healthy Au-antigen carriers may have a balanced intracellular infection which produces large amounts of Au antigen in cytoplasm of the hepatocytes but few or no infectious viruses. © 1972

Seroepidemiological study of HBV infections in Athens, Greece

A seroepidemiological survey of a sample – roughly representative by age and sex – of 2744 persons of the Greater Athens area revealed that hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are highly endemic in Greece. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was detected in 72 (2·6 %) of them. The subtype was identified in 70 of the 72 carriers, and 69 were ay; the other was ad. Determinant w was present in all 61 that were capable of being typed further, and a23y(w) was twice as common as a11y(w). Antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) was found in 514 (18·7%) persons. The prevalence of the HBsAg rose rapidly with age, reaching peak values (5·3%) at 20–29 years, while anti-HBs reached its highest value (42·1%) in older age groups (50–59 years). The frequency of HBsAg was significantly higher in males (3·4%) than in females (1·5%). The percentage of infected persons who become chronic HBsAg carriers (12·3%) was found higher than in other developed populations. It was also found higher in children (25%) than in adults (5·5%) and in males (14·6%) than in females (8·1%). These data indicate that HBV infection in early life is a major risk factor in the development of HBsAg carriers and support the hypothesis that males are more likely to become HBsAg carriers than females. © 1976, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved