Prevalência dos marcadores das hepatites B e C em adolescentes de Chapecó

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências da Saúde. Programa de Pós-Graduação em FarmáciaAs infecções pelo vírus da hepatite B (HBV) e pelo vírus da hepatite C (HCV) são dois preocupantes problemas de saúde pública, representando uma causa significativa de morbidade e mortalidade em todo o mundo. Estima-se que aproximadamente 400 milhões de pessoas no mundo sejam portadoras crônicas do vírus da hepatite B e aproximadamente 170 milhões de portadores ou doentes crônicos da hepatite C. Este trabalho objetivou estabelecer a prevalência dos marcadores de infecção e de imunização pelo vírus da hepatite B e do marcador de infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C em adolescentes com idade entre 10 e 16 anos, estudantes do ensino fundamental do município de Chapecó - SC. A pesquisa realizou-se com 418 voluntários, estudantes do ensino fundamental deste município, no período de março a julho de 2008. A análise estatística foi realizada por análise inferencial para diferentes proporções. Os resultados mostraram uma prevalência de 0% para o marcador anti-HCV, 0,24% para o marcador HBsAg e 1,44% para o marcador anti-HBc. O marcador anti-HBs teve seus resultados sub-divididos em três itens: 12,44% apresentaram título igual a zero, 39% com título maior que zero e menor que dez, 48,56% com título igual ou maior a dez. O questionário mostrou que 62,44% dos voluntários não sabiam o que é hepatite, evidenciando o baixo conhecimento sobre a doença; 50,24% não sabiam qual é a forma de transmissão, mostrando que podem se expor a situações de risco sem saber; e 20,30% dos alunos afirmaram que possuem familiares que têm ou já tiveram hepatite, expondo-os a risco mesmo dentro de suas casas. Alguns voluntários já necessitaram de transfusões sangüíneas, aplicaram piercings ou realizaram tatuagens, expondo-se a estes fatores de risco. The infections caused by the virus of hepatitis B (VHB) and by the virus of hepatitis C (VHC) are two worrying public health problems, as they represent a significant morbidity and mortality cause all around the world. It is estimated that approximately 400 million people worldwide are chronic carriers of the virus of hepatitis B and approximately 170 million are chronic carriers or patients with hepatitis C. This study aims to establish the prevalence of infection and immunization markers for the virus of hepatitis B and the infection marker for the virus of hepatitis C among teenagers aged from 10 to 15 years old, who are attending the elementary school in Chapecó city, Santa Catarina state. The research took place with 418 volunteers, who are this city's elementary school students, accomplished from March to July 2008. The statistical analysis was done through an inferential analysis for different proportions. The results showed a prevalence of 0% to the anti-HCV marker, 0.24% to the HBsAg marker and 1.44% to the anti-HBc marker. The anti-HBs marker had its results subdivided into three items: 12.44% presented a title equal to zero, 39% with a title higher than zero and lesser than ten, 48.56% presented a title higher or equal to ten. The questionnaire has showed that 62.44% of the volunteers don't know what hepatitis is, emphasizing the low awareness about this disease; 50.24% don't know what the transmission ways are, showing that they can be exposed into risk situations without knowing them; and 20.30% of the students confirmed that they have family members who have or have already had hepatitis, exposing them to risks even inside their homes. Some volunteers already had needed blood transfusions, had applied piercings or carried through tattoos, exposing themselves through these risk factors

Anti-HBs levels among children and adolescents with complete immunization schedule against hepatitis B virus. A cross-sectional study in Blumenau, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, 2007-2008 Níveis de anti-HBs entre crianças e adolescentes com o esquema completo de imunização contra o vírus da hepatite B. Um estudo transversal em Blumenau, Estado de Santa Catarina, 2007-2008

INTRODUCTION: Vaccination is the main tool for preventing hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection; however, following the completion of the vaccination series, the concentrations of anti-HBs can decline over the years and reach levels less than 10mIU/mL. The persistence of protection in these individuals is still unknown. The present study aimed to determine the anti-HBs antibody levels among children and adolescents who had received a complete vaccination course for hepatitis B. METHODS: Antibodies against HBV surface antigen (anti-HBs) were tested in 371 individuals aged 10 to 15 years-old. RESULTS: Volunteers who showed undetectable quantities of anti-HBs accounted for 10.2% of the population studied and 39.9% presented antibody titers of less than 10mIU/mL. Anti-HBs > 10mIU/mL were verified in 49.9%. CONCLUSIONS: These results corroborate other studies indicating levels of anti-HBs below 10mIU/mL in vaccinated individuals. Additional studies are required to assess whether this indicates susceptibility to HBV infection and the need and age for booster doses.<br>INTRODUÇÃO: A vacinação é o principal instrumento para prevenir a infecção pelo vírus da hepatite B. Todavia, após a conclusão da série de vacinação, as concentrações de anti-HBs podem diminuir ao longo dos anos e atingir níveis inferiores a 10mUI/mL. A persistência da proteção nestes indivíduos ainda é desconhecida. O presente estudo objetivou determinar os níveis do anticorpo anti-HBs em crianças e adolescentes que receberam o esquema completo de vacinação para a hepatite B. MÉTODOS: O anticorpo para o antígeno de superfície do vírus da hepatite B (anti-HBs) foi testado em 371 indivíduos com idade entre 10-15 anos. RESULTADOS: Os voluntários que apresentaram quantidades indetectáveis de anti-HBs corresponderam a 10,2% da população estudada, e 39,9% apresentaram títulos do anticorpo inferiores a 10mUI/mL. Anti-HBs > 10mUI/mL foi verificado em 49,9%. CONCLUSÕES: Nossos resultados corroboram com outros estudos que indicam níveis de anti-HBs inferiores a 10mUI/mL em indivíduos vacinados. Estudos adicionais são necessários para avaliar se isso indica suscetibilidade à infecção pelo HBV e necessidade e idade para a dose reforço

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C markers in adolescents in Southern Brazil

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) markers among adolescents aged between 10 and 16 years old, who are elementary school students in the city of Chapecó, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. The study involved a cross-sectional survey that included 418 volunteers, from March to July, 2008. Serology comprised HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs and anti-HCV. Tests were performed using automated Microparticle Enzyme Immunosorbant Assay (Abbott, AxSYM System, Wiesbaden, Germany). The prevalence of HBsAg was found to be 0.2% (95%CI: 0.0-1.3), and the prevalence of anti-HBc was found to be 1.4% (95%CI: 0.5-3.1). Regarding anti-HBs, 48.6% had titers greater than 10UI/L. None of the volunteers presented reactive results for anti-HCV. This study showed a low prevalence of HBV and HCV markers of infection and a great number of volunteers immunized against HBV. Finally this study shows the importance of proper health campaigns and policies in reducing those prevalences

Anti-HBs levels among children and adolescents with complete immunization schedule against hepatitis B virus. A cross-sectional study in Blumenau, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, 2007-2008

INTRODUCTION: Vaccination is the main tool for preventing hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection; however, following the completion of the vaccination series, the concentrations of anti-HBs can decline over the years and reach levels less than 10mIU/mL. The persistence of protection in these individuals is still unknown. The present study aimed to determine the anti-HBs antibody levels among children and adolescents who had received a complete vaccination course for hepatitis B. METHODS: Antibodies against HBV surface antigen (anti-HBs) were tested in 371 individuals aged 10 to 15 years-old. RESULTS: Volunteers who showed undetectable quantities of anti-HBs accounted for 10.2&#37; of the population studied and 39.9&#37; presented antibody titers of less than 10mIU/mL. Anti-HBs &#8805; 10mIU/mL were verified in 49.9&#37;. CONCLUSIONS: These results corroborate other studies indicating levels of anti-HBs below 10mIU/mL in vaccinated individuals. Additional studies are required to assess whether this indicates susceptibility to HBV infection and the need and age for booster doses

Anti-HBs levels among children and adolescents with complete immunization schedule against hepatitis B virus. A cross-sectional study in Blumenau, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, 2007-2008

INTRODUCTION: Vaccination is the main tool for preventing hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection; however, following the completion of the vaccination series, the concentrations of anti-HBs can decline over the years and reach levels less than 10mIU/mL. The persistence of protection in these individuals is still unknown. The present study aimed to determine the anti-HBs antibody levels among children and adolescents who had received a complete vaccination course for hepatitis B. METHODS: Antibodies against HBV surface antigen (anti-HBs) were tested in 371 individuals aged 10 to 15 years-old. RESULTS: Volunteers who showed undetectable quantities of anti-HBs accounted for 10.2% of the population studied and 39.9% presented antibody titers of less than 10mIU/mL. Anti-HBs > 10mIU/mL were verified in 49.9%. CONCLUSIONS: These results corroborate other studies indicating levels of anti-HBs below 10mIU/mL in vaccinated individuals. Additional studies are required to assess whether this indicates susceptibility to HBV infection and the need and age for booster doses

Hepatitis B marker seroprevalence and vaccination coverage in adolescents in the City of Itajaí, State of Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil, in 2008

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B infection constitutes an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Brazil, however, the current epidemiological situation is not clear. Considering the importance of establishing this prevalence, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV markers in voluntary adolescents, junior high (secondary school) students, in the City of Itajaí, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. METHODS: A seroepidemiological, transverse study was conducted with 353 randomly chosen adolescents from elementary school in 2008. Blood samples were analyzed for HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs. All analyses were conducted by automated microparticle enzyme immunosorbent assay (Abbott®, AxSYM system, Deerfield, IL, USA), according to the manufacturer's instructions. RESULTS: The prevalence of HBsAg was 0.6% (CI 95% 0.1 - 2.0), that of anti-HBc was 1.1% (CI 95% 0.3 - 2.9) and that of detectable anti-HBs was 83.6% (CI 95% 79.3 - 87.3). Hepatitis B vaccination coverage was 97.5% (CI 95% 95.2 - 98.8). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the success of the vaccination program against hepatitis B in the region studied and indicate that prevention strategies must be maintained and, if possible, expanded to contribute to the establishment of positive prevalence rates in all age groups