Hepatitis B virus infection in a population exposed to occupational hazards: firefighters of a metropolitan region in central Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: By the nature of their activities, firefighters are exposed to a high risk of contracting hepatitis B virus (HBV) as most of the Fire Brigade occurrences in Campo Grande, State of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil, are related to the rescue of victims of traffic accidents and the transportation of clinical and psychiatric emergencies. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroepidemiological profile of HBV infection in firefighters from the City of Campo Grande, central Brazil. METHODS: The research involved 308 firefighters. After giving written consent, they were interviewed and blood was collected for the detection of HBsAg, anti-HBs and total anti-HBc of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). RESULTS: The participants had an average of 36.4 years of age (SD ± 6.5), being 89.9% male. Blood tests revealed 6.5% of seropositivity for hepatitis B (HB) infection (n=20), and 1% for HbsAg. Isolated anti-HBs markers, indicative of vaccine immunity, were found in 66.9% of the participants and 28.2% were susceptible to infection. With regard to risk factors for HB infection, multivariate regression analysis showed a statistically significant association with length of service; and prevalence was higher in individuals with over 20 years of service. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HB found among the firefighters was low and length of time in the profession was found to be a risk factor. Non-occupational risk factors did not influence the occurrence of HB infection in the population studied.

Hepatitis B virus infection in a population exposed to occupational hazards: firefighters of a metropolitan region in central Brazil / Infecção pelo vírus da hepatite B em população exposta a risco ocupacional: bombeiros de região metropolitana do Brasil central

INTRODUCTION: By the nature of their activities, firefighters are exposed to a high risk of contracting hepatitis B virus (HBV) as most of the Fire Brigade occurrences in Campo Grande, State of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil, are related to the rescue of victims of traffic accidents and the transportation of clinical and psychiatric emergencies. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroepidemiological profile of HBV infection in firefighters from the City of Campo Grande, central Brazil. METHODS: The research involved 308 firefighters. After giving written consent, they were interviewed and blood was collected for the detection of HBsAg, anti-HBs and total anti-HBc of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). RESULTS: The participants had an average of 36.4 years of age (SD ± 6.5), being 89.9% male. Blood tests revealed 6.5% of seropositivity for hepatitis B (HB) infection (n=20), and 1% for HbsAg. Isolated anti-HBs markers, indicative of vaccine immunity, were found in 66.9% of the participants and 28.2% were susceptible to infection. With regard to risk factors for HB infection, multivariate regression analysis showed a statistically significant association with length of service; and prevalence was higher in individuals with over 20 years of service. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HB found among the firefighters was low and length of time in the profession was found to be a risk factor. Non-occupational risk factors did not influence the occurrence of HB infection in the population studied.

INTRODUÇÃO: Os bombeiros pela natureza de suas atividades possuem elevado risco para aquisição da infecção pelo vírus da hepatite B (VHB), pois a maioria das ocorrências atendidas em Campo Grande, Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brasil, estão relacionadas ao resgate de vítimas de acidentes de trânsito e transporte de emergências clínicas e psiquiátricas. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o perfil soroepidemiológico da infecção pelo HBV em bombeiros do município de Campo Grande, Brasil Central. MÉTODOS: Participaram da pesquisa 308 bombeiros. Após consentimento, foram submetidos à entrevista, coleta de sangue e testes sorológicos para detecção dos marcadores HBsAg, anti-HBs e anti-HBc total por enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). RESULTADOS: A média de idade dos participantes da pesquisa foi de 36,4 anos (±6,5 DP), sendo 89,9% do sexo masculino. Foi encontrado percentual de soropositividade de infecção para hepatite B (HB) de 6,5% (n=20), sendo 1% para o HBsAg. A presença do marcador anti-HBs isolado, indicativo de imunidade vacinal foi encontrada em 66,9% e 28,2% dos indivíduos estavam susceptíveis à infecção. Com relação aos fatores de risco para infecção pelo VHB, a análise de regressão multivariada demonstrou associação estatística significativa com o tempo de serviço, sendo a prevalência maior em indivíduos com mais de 20 anos de serviço. CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de HB encontrada nos bombeiros foi baixa, sendo encontrado como fator de risco muitos anos de profissão. Fatores de risco não ocupacionais não influenciaram na ocorrência de infecção por HB nos bombeiros estudados.

Infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C em gestantes em Mato Grosso do Sul, 2005-2007 / Hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Central-Western Brazil, 2005-2007 / Infección por el virus de la hepatitis C en gestantes en Mato Grosso do Sul, Centro-Oeste de Brasil, 2005-2007

O estudo teve por objetivo estimar a prevalência da infecção e genótipo do vírus da hepatite C (HCV), bem como determinar a subnotificação de casos. O total de 115.386 gestantes atendidas pelo Programa Estadual de Proteção à Gestante de Mato Grosso do Sul foi submetido à coleta de sangue para a detecção de anti-HCV, de 2005 a 2007. A prevalência da infecção pelo HCV foi de 1,07 casos/1.000. As amostras positivas foram submetidas à detecção do HCV-RNA e genotipadas. O genótipo 1 foi encontrado em 73 por cento das amostras, 24,3 por cento pertenciam ao genótipo 3 e 2,7 por cento ao genótipo 2. A subnotificação de casos de hepatite C foi de 35,5 por cento.

The study was aimed at estimating the prevalence of infection with and the genotype of hepatitis C virus (HCV), and to determine the extent of underreporting of HCV cases. A total of 115,386 pregnant women seen by the Program for Protection of Pregnancy [Programa Estadual de Proteção à Gestante] of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Central-Western Brazil, were tested for anti-HCV antibodies between 2005 and 2007. Prevalence of HCV infection was 1.07 cases per thousand. Positive samples were tested for HCV RNA and genotyped. Genotype 1 was detected in 73 percent of samples, genotype 3 in 24.3 percent, and genotype 2 in 2.7 percent. Underreporting of hepatitis C cases was 35.5 percent.

El estudio tuvo por objetivo estimar la prevalencia de la infección y genotipo del virus de la hepatitis C (HCV), así como determinar la subnotificación de casos. El total de 115.386 gestantes atendidas por el Programa Estatal de Protección a la Gestante de Mato Grosso do Sul (Centro-Oeste de Brasil) fueron sometidas a la colecta de sangre para la detección de anti-HCV, de 2005 a 2007. La prevalencia de la infección por el HCV fue de 1,07 casos/1000. Las muestras positivas fueron sometidas a la detección del HCV-RNA y genotipadas. El genotipo 1 fue encontrado en 73 por ciento de las muestras, 24,3 por ciento pertenecían al genotipo 3 y 2,7 por ciento al genotipo 2. La subnotificación de casos de hepatitis C fue de 35,5 por ciento.

Hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Central-Western Brazil, 2005-2007.

The study was aimed at estimating the prevalence of infection with and the genotype of hepatitis C virus (HCV), and to determine the extent of underreporting of HCV cases. A total of 115,386 pregnant women seen by the Program for Protection of Pregnancy [Programa Estadual de Proteção à Gestante] of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Central-Western Brazil, were tested for anti-HCV antibodies between 2005 and 2007. Prevalence of HCV infection was 1.07 cases per thousand. Positive samples were tested for HCV RNA and genotyped. Genotype 1 was detected in 73% of samples, genotype 3 in 24.3%, and genotype 2 in 2.7%. Underreporting of hepatitis C cases was 35.5%.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated factors among prison inmates in state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of HBV infection and associated factors among prison inmates in Campo Grande, MS. METHODS: A total of 408 individuals were interviewed regarding sociodemographic characteristics, associated factors and HBV vaccination using a standardized questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from all participants and serological markers for HBV were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and/or antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) positive samples were tested for HBV-DNA by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of HBV infection was 17.9% (95%CI: 14.4-22.0). The HBsAg carrier rate was 0.5%; 56 (13.7%) individuals had been infected and developed natural immunity and 15 (3.7%) were positive for anti-HBc only. Ninety eight (24%) prisoners had only anti-HBs, suggesting that they had low vaccine coverage. An occult HBV infection rate of 0% was verified among anti-HBc-positive individuals. Multivariate analysis of associated factors showed that age > 35 years-old, low schooling level and illicit drug use are significantly associated with HBV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the data showed HBV infection prevalence similar or slightly lower than that reported in other of Brazilian prisons. Independent predictors of HBV infection in this population include older age, low schooling level and illicit drug use.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated factors among prison inmates in state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil / Soroprevalência e fatores associados à infecção pelo vírus da hepatite B em população encarcerada no estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of HBV infection and associated factors among prison inmates in Campo Grande, MS. METHODS: A total of 408 individuals were interviewed regarding sociodemographic characteristics, associated factors and HBV vaccination using a standardized questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from all participants and serological markers for HBV were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and/or antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) positive samples were tested for HBV-DNA by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of HBV infection was 17.9 percent (95 percentCI: 14.4-22.0). The HBsAg carrier rate was 0.5 percent; 56 (13.7 percent) individuals had been infected and developed natural immunity and 15 (3.7 percent) were positive for anti-HBc only. Ninety eight (24 percent) prisoners had only anti-HBs, suggesting that they had low vaccine coverage. An occult HBV infection rate of 0 percent was verified among anti-HBc-positive individuals. Multivariate analysis of associated factors showed that age > 35 years-old, low schooling level and illicit drug use are significantly associated with HBV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the data showed HBV infection prevalence similar or slightly lower than that reported in other of Brazilian prisons. Independent predictors of HBV infection in this population include older age, low schooling level and illicit drug use.

INTRODUÇÃO: O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar a prevalência da infecção pelo HBV e os fatores associados a esta infecção em população encarcerada de Campo Grande, MS. MÉTODOS: Quatrocentos e oito encarcerados, provenientes das populações encarceradas do Instituto Penal de Campo Grande, Presídio de Segurança Máxima e Presídio Feminino Irmã Irma Zorzi, foram entrevistados sobre dados sociodemográficos e fatores associados à infecção pelo HBV. A seguir foram coletadas amostras sanguíneas para detecção dos marcadores HBsAg, anti-HBs e anti-HBc total por ensaio imunoenzimático. O HBV-DNA foi detectado pela reação em cadeia da polimerase nas amostras HBsAg e anti-HBc reagentes. RESULTADOS: A prevalência global para infecção pelo HBV foi de 17,9 por cento (IC 95 por cento: 14,4-22,0), 13,7 por cento (56/408) para o anti-HBc total associado ao anti-HBs e em 15 (3,7 por cento) indivíduos foi detectada a presença do anti-HBc isolado. HBsAg foi encontrado em 0,5 por cento (2/408) dos indivíduos estudados, evidenciando uma baixa prevalência de casos crônicos. Em 24 por cento (98/408) dos indivíduos, verificou-se positividade isolada ao marcador anti-HBs, sugerindo baixa cobertura vacinal ao HBV. Após análise multivariada, ter idade maior que 35 anos, baixo nível de escolaridade e uso de droga ilícita permaneceram associados significativamente à infecção pelo HBV. CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência da infecção pelo HBV encontrada foi similar às reportadas em outros estudos conduzidos em populações encarceradas do Brasil. Os fatores de risco associados a esta infecção foram aumento da idade, baixo nível de escolaridade e uso de droga ilícita.