Epidemiological pattern and mortality rates for hepatitis A in Brazil, 1980-2002--a review.

The prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is high in developing countries, in which low standards of sanitation promote the transmission of the virus. In Latin America, which is considered an area of high HAV endemicity, most HAV-positive individuals are infected in early childhood However recent studies have shown that prevalence rates are decreasing. Herein, we review the data on HAV prevalence and outbreaks available in scientific databases. We also use official government data in order to evaluate mortality rates in Brazil over the last two decades. Studies conducted in the northernmost regions of Brazil have indicated that, although improved hygiene has led to a reduction in childhood exposure to HAV, the greatest exposure still occurs early in life. In the Southeastern region, the persistence of circulating HAV has generated outbreaks among individuals of low socioeconomic status, despite adequate sanitation. Nationwide, hepatitis A mortality rates declined progressively from 1980 to 2002. During that period, mortality rates in the Northern region consistently exceeded the mean national rate and those for other regions. Excluding the North, the rates in all regions were comparable. Nevertheless, the trend toward decline observed in the South was paralleled by a similar trend in the North.

Epidemiological pattern and mortality rates for hepatitis A in Brazil, 1980-2002: a review

The prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is high in developing countries, in which low standards of sanitation promote the transmission of the virus. In Latin America, which is considered an area of high HAV endemicity, most HAV-positive individuals are infected in early childhood. However, recent studies have shown that prevalence rates are decreasing. Herein, we review the data on HAV prevalence and outbreaks available in scientific databases. We also use official government data in order to evaluate mortality rates in Brazil over the last two decades. Studies conducted in the northernmost regions of Brazil have indicated that, although improved hygiene has led to a reduction in childhood exposure to HAV, the greatest exposure still occurs early in life. In the Southeastern region, the persistence of circulating HAV has generated outbreaks among individuals of low socioeconomic status, despite adequate sanitation. Nationwide, hepatitis A mortality rates declined progressively from 1980 to 2002. During that period, mortality rates in the Northern region consistently exceeded the mean national rate and those for other regions. Excluding the North, the rates in all regions were comparable. Nevertheless, the trend toward decline observed in the South was paralleled by a similar trend in the North.

Hepatitis E virus antibodies in swine herds of Mato Grosso state, Central Brazil

A infeccão pelo vírus da hepatite E (VHE) ainda não foi detectada entre suínos na região central do Brasil. Com o intuito de avaliar se o VHE circula entre suínos no estado de Mato Grosso, um estudo de soroprevalência foi realizado em suínos de 17 propriedades rurais, correspondentes a 13 municípios. Os animais foram escolhidos aleatoriamente em lotes no momento da chegada para abate em dois frigoríficos entre dezembro de 2002 e fevereiro de 2003. Amostras de soro foram coletadas e testadas para a presenca de anticorpos de classe IgG contra o VHE (anti-VHE) por ensaio imuno-enzimático (EIE). Este EIE foi executado utilizando-se duas proteínas recombinantes como antígenos. Uma proteína mosaico (MP-II) e outra proteína contendo a região dos aminoácidos 452 a 617 da ORF2 da cepa Burma do VHE. 211 dos 260 animais examinados eram anti-VHE reativos. A soropositividade não variou com gênero e idade, mas variou entre 15% a 100% de uma propriedade para outra. Nossos resultados apontaram que o VHE parece circular entre suínos do estado de Mato Grosso, sugerindo que o vírus encontra-se disseminado na região, como verificado em outros países ao redor do mundo.