Hepatitis B, C, and delta in the general population in Mayotte: hepatitis B as a major public health concern.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Located in southwestern Indian Ocean, Mayotte is a French territory, with a very specific demographic, social and health context. To date, epidemiological data on infections by hepatitis B (HBV), C (HCV), and delta (HDV) viruses in Mayotte have been sparse. We aimed to estimate, in the 15-69-year-old general population living in Mayotte, the prevalence of infections by hepatitis B (HBV), C (HCV), and delta (HDV) viruses and the distribution of HBV status current infection with positive HBs antigen (Ag); resolved infection with positive HBc antibodies and negative HBsAg; immunisation by vaccination with only positive HBs antibodies; and no infection/no immunisation with negative markers. We also described the characteristics of infected people and assessed the determinants of lifetime HBV infection. METHODS: The Unono Wa Maore survey, implemented in a random sample of the general population in 2018-2019, consisted of an at-home collection of epidemiological data and venous blood samples. Detection of hepatitis B, C, and delta serological and molecular markers was performed. RESULTS: Among 5207 eligible people, 4643 responded to the questionnaire (89.2%), with 2917 being tested for HBV and HCV (62.8%). Estimated HBV status was as follows current infection 3.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.3-3.9%) (n = 76); resolved infection 27.8% (95% CI 25.8-29.9); immunisation by vaccination 27.7% (95% CI 25.9-29.7); and no infection/no immunisation 41.5% (95% CI 39.3-43.7). One participant was positive for HDV antibodies (Ab) (0.65%) with a negative HDV-RNA viral load. The risk of lifetime HBV infection was higher in men (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) 1.55, 95% CI 1.29-1.89); in people aged 30-49 years (aPR 3.83, 95% CI 1.49-9.81) or 50-69 years (aPR 4.52, 95% CI 1.77-11.53) compared to those under 20; in individuals who reported no condom use during their first sexual intercourse (aPR 1.46, 95% CI 1.01-2.14); and in those living in Dembeni-Mamoudzou (aPR 1.40, 95% CI 1.09-1.80) compared to the West-Centre of Mayotte. Finally, six individuals were positive for HCV antibodies (0.21%), including three positive for HCV RNA. CONCLUSIONS: Mayotte is an area of intermediate endemicity for HBV and low endemicity for HCV and HDV. With a prevalence of HBsAg 10 times higher than in mainland France, a high proportion of people susceptible to HBV infection, and a demographic, health, and social context that may favour its transmission, hepatitis B is a major public health concern in Mayotte.