The frequency of occurrence anti-HAV antibodies to health employees ­ own observations

INTRODUCTION: In the years 1997-2016, Poland was counted among the countries with a low and very low endemicity of hepatitis A. Based on the epidemiological data from NIZP­PZH (National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene), since 2017, an increase in the incidence of hepatitis A has been observed in Poland. Considering the low number of cases by 2016 and a high percentage of seronegative persons, an increased risk of HAV infections should be expected. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the project was to assess the presence of anti-HAV IgG antibodies in the employees of the Provincial Hospital for Infectious Diseases and Observation in Bydgoszcz. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 123 people who are employees of the hospital. The presence of anti-HAV antibodies was detected using HAV IgG Elisa FORTRESS DIAGNOSTICS kits. RESULTS: The presence of anti-HAV IgG antibodies was found in 28/123 (22.8%) subjects. Anti-HAV IgG antibodies were almost exclusively found in people over 40 years of age. Only one case involved a younger person. CONCLUSIONS: The low incidence of anti-HAV antibodies in the IgG class among medical personnel confirms the reasonableness of vaccinations against hepatitis A in this group.

Distribution of HCV genotypes in the populations of inmates in polish prison potulice and patients hospitalised in bydgoszcz.

BACKGROUND: According to many studies, one of the social groups with high rate of HCV infections are prisoners. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine and compare the genotypes distribution among prisoners and patients of hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: HCV genotypes among prisoners (281 inmates) and patients of hospital (1415 patients) were determined in years 2002-2012. HCV genotypes were determined in 2002-2005 with INNO-LiPA HCV II test (Innogenetics, Gent, Belgium) and since 2006 with LINEAR ARRAY assay (Roche, Mannheim, Germany), after isolation and amplification of the material with COBAS AMPLICOR v 2.0 (Roche, Mannheim, Germany). RESULTS: The most frequent HCV genotype among inmates was genotype 3, which was detected in169 of 281 patients (60.1%). Most frequent genotype among hospitalized was genotype 1, which was found in 1127 cases (79.6%). Comparing the results of prisoners with a group of patients with HIV/HCV co-infection gave similar results. In both groups most frequent was genotype 3 (respectively 60.1 and 45.5%). However, most prisoners in this study (96%) were HIV-negative. CONCLUSIONS: The current study shows that the predominant HCV genotype among inmates from prison in Potulice is genotype 3.

Distribution of HCV genotypes in Poland.

UNLABELLED: Available data on prevalence of HCV genotypes in Poland are insufficient. The aim of the study was the analysis of distribution of HCV genotypes in Poland over the period of recent 10 years regarding the age of patients and the regions of the country. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of HCV genotypes in Poland was carried out between 2003 and 2012, and included 14 651 patients from 22 centers where patients with chronic viral hepatitis C are diagnosed and treated. Genotypes were analyzed in age groups (< 20 years of age, 20-40 years of age, > 40 years of age) as well as in populations of HBV and HIV co-infections. RESULTS: Genotype (G) 1 infection was demonstrated in 79.4%, G2 -0.1%, G3- 13.8%, G4- 4.9%, G6-0.09% and mixed infections in 1.6%. There was no infection with genotype 5. The highest prevalence of G1 was observed in the Lódzkie voivodship (89.2%) and the Slaskie voivodship (86.7%) while the lowest one in the Warminsko-mazurskie (62.0%) and the Podlaskie voivodships (68.2%). Genotype 3 most commonly occurs in the Warminsko-mazurskie (28.1%), and the Podlaskie voivodships (23.0%) and is least common in the Malopolskie (7.9%) and the Lódzkie voivodships (9.0%). Genotype 4 is more common in the Kujawsko-pomorskie (11.7%) and the Podlaskie voivodships (8.6%) and relatively less common in the Lubelskie (1.1%) and the Lódzkie voivodships (1.8%). Prevalence of G1 infection in 2003-2004 was 72% and increased up to 85.6% in 2011-2012, that was accompanied by decrease of G3 prevalence from 17% to 8% in this period. In HBV co-infected (n = 83), G1 infection was demonstrated in 85.5%, G3 - in 7.2%, G4 -4.8%, and mixed genotypes in 6%. Among HIV co-infected (n = 391), a much lower prevalence of G1 (33.0%) and a high of G3 (40.4%) as well as G4 (24.0%) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: There is a geographic variability of HCV genotypes prevalence in Poland. Increase of HCV G1 infections and decrease of G3 and G4 were observed in the last 10 years. Genotypes G3 and G4 occur more often in HCV/HIV co-infected than in HCV mono-infected patients.