clove and Hepatitis-A

Topics: Cross Infection; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis A virus; Hospitals; Humans; Madagascar; Male; Public Health; Young Adult

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is an enteric, viral, infectious disease endemic in many developing countries such as Madagascar. Infection is often subclinical or asymptomatic in children; however, symptomatic acute infections become more common with increasing age. In some developing countries, improvements in living conditions have led to changes in the epidemiological pattern of HAV infection. There are very few reports on the prevalence of HAV in Madagascar. This study was to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus antibodies in relation to age in the city of Antananarivo, Madagascar.. Serum samples collected in 2004 during a cross-sectional survey of individuals aged between two and 24 years from Antananarivo were tested for anti-HAV antibody using a commercial enzyme immunoassay kit. Subjects were investigated using a standardized social and medical history questionnaire.. 926 subjects were enrolled including 406 males and 520 females. There were 251 children under 10 years old and 675 subjects between 10 and 24 years old. Of the 926 serum samples tested, 854 (92.2%) were positive for anti-HAV antibodies. The number of seropositive samples was similar for males and females. The overall seroprevalence was 83.7% (210/251) for children under 10 years old and 95.5% (644/675) for subjects aged between 10 and 24 years (p < 0.001).. Despite improvements in sanitary conditions and hygiene over the last few years, the prevalence of HAV in Antananarivo is high. Only children under five years old remain susceptible to HAV infection. Immunization against HAV is not needed at the present time in the Madagascan population, but should be recommended for travellers.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Antibodies, Viral; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis A Antibodies; Humans; Madagascar; Male; Prevalence; Risk Assessment; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires

The first serological survey of hepatitis A, B and C virus infection was carried out in Madagascar during 1993 in two rural villages (653 sera) of the middle-west. This study shows a high frequency of positivity of hepatitis A virus markers (94.9%). Hepatitis A is acquired in early childhood. The data show the high frequency of positivity of hepatitis B (HBV) markers: in the two villages 72.5% and 89.8% have one marker, and seroprevalence of HBs antigene is 18.9% and 30.5%. Hepatitis B also is acquired in early childhood. The data show that not only hepatitis A and B but also hepatitis C is highly prevalent (2.2% and 5.8%). There was an increase in HCV antibody prevalence with age.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis Antibodies; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B Antibodies; Hepatitis B e Antigens; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Hepatitis C; Hepatovirus; Humans; Infant; Madagascar; Male; Rural Population