1
|
Martró E, Ouaarab H, Saludes V, Buti M, Treviño B, Roade L, Egea-Cortés L, Reyes-Ureña J, Not A, Majó X, Colom J, Gómez I Prat J. Pilot hepatitis C micro-elimination strategy in Pakistani migrants in Catalonia through a community intervention. Liver Int 2022; 42:1751-1761. [PMID: 35635535 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Pakistani migrants in Catalonia, Spain, could have high hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence. The aims of the HepClink study were (i) to implement and assess the quality of a micro-elimination strategy based on a community intervention and (ii) to obtain data from primary care (PC) registries as a baseline comparator. METHODS The community intervention targeted Pakistani adults and consisted of education, screening and simplified access to treatment. Quality indicators were calculated (effectiveness, impact and acceptability). The testing rate, the prevalence of HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA were compared with those observed in the Pakistani population accessing PC in the previous year. RESULTS A total of 505 participants were recruited through the community intervention (64.6% men, median 37 years) vs those accessing PC (N = 25 455, 70.9% men, median 38 years). Among study participants, 35.1% did not know about HCV and 9.7% had been previously tested. The testing rate in the community intervention was 99.4% vs 50.7% in PC. Prevalence was 4.6% vs 7.1% (p = .008) for HCV antibodies and 1.4% (3/6 new diagnoses) vs 2.4% (p = .183) for HCV-RNA. Among the six viremic patients, three began treatment within the intervention and two through the usual circuit and all completed the full course. CONCLUSIONS This novel community intervention was well accepted and effective at reaching a Pakistani migrant population with a low-level knowledge of HCV and largely not tested before. The observed prevalence and the high unawareness of their HCV status justify a targeted screening in this group both in the community and in PC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Martró
- Microbiology Department, Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Nord, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona (Barcelona), Spain.,Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Hakima Ouaarab
- Community & Public Health Team (ESPIC), Drassanes Vall d'Hebron Centre for International Health and Infectious Diseases, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Verónica Saludes
- Microbiology Department, Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Nord, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona (Barcelona), Spain.,Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Buti
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Treviño
- Drassanes Vall d'Hebron Centre for International Health and Infectious Diseases, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luisa Roade
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Egea-Cortés
- Centre d'Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya (CEEISCAT), Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona (Barcelona), Spain
| | - Juliana Reyes-Ureña
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Centre d'Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya (CEEISCAT), Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona (Barcelona), Spain
| | - Anna Not
- Microbiology Department, Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Nord, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona (Barcelona), Spain
| | - Xavier Majó
- Programa de prevenció, control i atenció al virus d'immunodeficiència humana (VIH), les infeccions de transmissió sexual (ITS) i les hepatitis víriques (HV), (PCAVIHV), Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Colom
- Programa de prevenció, control i atenció al virus d'immunodeficiència humana (VIH), les infeccions de transmissió sexual (ITS) i les hepatitis víriques (HV), (PCAVIHV), Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Gómez I Prat
- Community & Public Health Team (ESPIC), Drassanes Vall d'Hebron Centre for International Health and Infectious Diseases, Barcelona, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Khemichian S, Kahn J, Terrault NA. Use of Hepatitis B Virus-Positive Organs in Organ Transplantation. Clin Liver Dis 2021; 25:841-857. [PMID: 34593157 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2021.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The significant morbidity and mortality of people with end-stage renal, liver, heart, and lung diseases in need of transplantation provides rationale for use of organs from donors who are hepatitis B positive. The recipient's hepatitis B status plays a key role in defining the prophylactic strategy. The availability of safe and effective therapies (hepatitis B antivirals and hepatitis B immune globulin) has contributed to the safety of using hepatitis B-positive donors. The outcomes in both liver and nonliver solid organ transplant recipients given hepatitis B-positive organs have been excellent if appropriate prophylactic therapies provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saro Khemichian
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California, 1520 San Pablo Street, Suite 1000, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jeffrey Kahn
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California, 1520 San Pablo Street, Suite 1000, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Norah A Terrault
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California, 1520 San Pablo Street, Suite 1000, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lazarus JV, Bromberg DJ, Del Amo J, Norgaard O, García-Samaniego J, Casellas A, Calleja JL, Requena-Méndez A. Hepatitis C prevalence among the migrant population in Spain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin 2018; 37:222-230. [PMID: 29759423 DOI: 10.1016/j.eimc.2018.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Spain, which has one of the largest migrant populations in Europe, has committed to eliminating the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HCV among migrant groups in Spain, a country of 46 million people, with an estimated HCV-antibody prevalence of 1.7%. METHODS Studies on HCV and migration in Spain were identified by systematically searching three databases from the first records to 30 November 2017, and consulting experts at the Ministry of Health and in the 17 Spanish autonomous communities. A meta-analysis was conducted to determine pooled HCV prevalence for the general migrant population. Prevalences were also calculated for high-risk migrant populations and populations who had undergone hospital screening, stratified by region of origin. RESULTS Out of 243 studies identified, 26 met the eligibility criteria. The meta-analysis of the general migrant population found HCV antibody prevalence to be 1.6%. Migrants originating from European countries, including those at high or moderate risk for HCV, had the highest pooled prevalence (7.1%). In the general migrant population, prevalence was highest among sub-Saharan African migrants (3.1%) and lowest among Latin American migrants (0.2%). CONCLUSION Based on the limited available data, the prevalence among the general migrant population was found to be the same as the general Spanish population. Further research is needed to more accurately determine HCV prevalence for the overall migrant population and specific migrant subpopulations with a higher risk in the country as a whole and in each of Spain's 17 autonomous communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel J Bromberg
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julia Del Amo
- National Centre of Epidemiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Aina Casellas
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Ana Requena-Méndez
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Prevalence of chronic infections and susceptibility to measles and varicella-zoster virus in Latin American immigrants. Infect Dis Poverty 2016; 5:41. [PMID: 27164954 PMCID: PMC4863343 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-016-0136-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Large numbers of Latin American immigrants recently arrived in Western Europe. Curative and preventive programmes need to take account of their risk of suffering and transmitting imported chronic infections and of their susceptibility to cosmopolitan infections. We aimed to assess the prevalence and co-occurrence of imported chronic infections among Latin American immigrants, and their susceptibility to highly prevalent cosmopolitan infections. Methods Adult participants were recruited in the community and in a primary health centre in Geneva in 2008. Serological tests were performed on stored sera for HIV, HBV, syphilis, Strongyloides stercoralis, Trypanosoma cruzi, varicella and measles. We considered only chronic active infections in the analysis. Results and discussion The 1 012 participants, aged 37.2 (SD 11.3) years, were mostly female (82.5 %) and Bolivians (48 %). Overall, 209 (20.7 %) had at least one and 27 (2.7 %) two or more chronic infections. T. cruzi (12.8 %) and S. stercoralis (8.4 %) were the most prevalent chronic active infections compared to syphilis (0.4 %), HBV (0.4 %) and HIV (1.4 %). Concomitant infections affected 28.2 and 18.5 % of T. cruzi and S. stercoralis infected cases. Bolivian origin (aOR: 13.6; 95 % CI: 3.2–57.9) was associated with risk of multiple infections. Susceptibilities for VZV and measles were 0.7 and 1.4 %, respectively. Latin American immigrants are at risk of complications and possible reactivation of chronic parasitic infections but have overall low risks of chronic viral and syphilitic active infections. Conclusions Systematic screening for chronic active parasitic infections is therefore necessary especially among Bolivians. The high protection rate against measles and VZV doesn’t require specific preventive interventions. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40249-016-0136-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
|
5
|
Greenaway C, Thu Ma A, Kloda LA, Klein M, Cnossen S, Schwarzer G, Shrier I. The Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Antibodies in Immigrants and Refugees from Intermediate and High Endemic Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0141715. [PMID: 26558905 PMCID: PMC4641717 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant global health issue that leads to 350,000 preventable deaths annually due to associated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Immigrants and refugees (migrants) originating from intermediate/high HCV endemic countries are likely at increased risk for HCV infection due to HCV exposure in their countries of origin. The aim of this study was to estimate the HCV seroprevalence of the migrant population living in low HCV prevalence countries. METHODS Four electronic databases were searched from database inception until June 17, 2014 for studies reporting the prevalence of HCV antibodies among migrants. Seroprevalence estimates were pooled with a random-effect model and were stratified by age group, region of origin and migration status and a meta-regression was modeled to explore heterogeneity. RESULTS Data from 50 studies representing 38,635 migrants from all world regions were included. The overall anti-HCV prevalence (representing previous and current infections) was 1.9% (95% CI, 1.4-2.7%, I2 96.1). Older age and region of origin, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe were the strongest predictors of HCV seroprevalence. The estimated HCV seroprevalence of migrants from these regions was >2% and is higher than that reported for most host populations. CONCLUSION Adult migrants originating from Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Eastern Europe are at increased risk for HCV and may benefit from targeted HCV screening.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Greenaway
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Research Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ann Thu Ma
- Department of Internal Medicine, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Marina Klein
- Division of Infectious Diseases, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sonya Cnossen
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Research Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Canada
| | - Guido Schwarzer
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics, Medical Centre - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ian Shrier
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Research Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Roura M, Domingo A, Leyva-Moral JM, Pool R. Hispano-Americans in Europe: what do we know about their health status and determinants? A scoping review. BMC Public Health 2015; 15:472. [PMID: 25948239 PMCID: PMC4430018 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-1799-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Policy makers and health practitioners are in need of guidance to respond to the growing geographic mobility of Hispano-American migrants in Europe. Drawing from contributions from epidemiology, social sciences, demography, psychology, psychiatry and economy, this scoping review provides an up-to-date and comprehensive synthesis of studies addressing the health status and determinants of this population. We describe major research gaps and suggest specific avenues of further inquiry. Methods We identified systematically papers that addressed the concepts “health” and “Hispano Americans” indexed in five data bases from Jan 1990 to May 2014 with no language restrictions. We screened the 4,464 citations retrieved against exclusion criteria and classified 193 selected references in 12 thematic folders with the aid of the reference management software ENDNOTE X6. After reviewing the full text of all papers we extracted relevant data systematically into a table template to facilitate the synthesising process. Results Most studies focused on a particular disease, leaving unexplored the interlinkages between different health conditions and how these relate to legislative, health services, environmental, occupational, and other health determinants. We elucidated some consistent results but there were many heterogeneous findings and several popular beliefs were not fully supported by empirical evidence. Few studies adopted a trans-national perspective and many consisted of cross-sectional descriptions that considered “Hispano-Americans” as a homogeneous category, limiting our analysis. Our results are also constrained by the availability and varying quality of studies reviewed. Conclusions Burgeoning research has produced some consistent findings but there are huge gaps in knowledge. To prevent unhelpful generalisations we need a more holistic and nuanced understanding of how mobility, ethnicity, income, gender, legislative status, employment status, working conditions, neighbourhood characteristics and social status intersect with demographic variables and policy contexts to influence the health of the diverse Hispano-American populations present in Europe. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-015-1799-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Roura
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Ctr. Int. Health Res. (CRESIB) Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Rosselló 132, 4th floor, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Andreu Domingo
- Centre for Demographic Studies, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Carrer de Ca n'Altayó. Edifici E2, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain.
| | - Juan M Leyva-Moral
- Escola Superior d'Infemeria del Mar, University Pompeu Fabra, Doctor Aiguader, 80, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Robert Pool
- Social Science and Global Health, Centre for Social Science and Global Health, University of Amsterdam, Postbus 15718, 1001, NE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Padovese V, Egidi AM, Melillo TF, Farrugia B, Carabot P, Didero D, Costanzo G, Mirisola C. Prevalence of latent tuberculosis, syphilis, hepatitis B and C among asylum seekers in Malta. J Public Health (Oxf) 2013; 36:22-7. [PMID: 23559596 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdt036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the last few years, Malta has witnessed increasing immigration flows from the Libyan coasts. Public health policies are focused on screening migrants for tuberculosis, whereas no systematic actions against STIs are implemented. The aim of this study is to define the epidemiological profile of asylum seekers in Malta as regards syphilis, hepatitis B, C and latent tuberculosis, thus supporting screening policies. METHODS Five hundred migrants living in open centres were screened between December 2010 and June 2011. RESULTS 83.2% of people was from Somalia, 81.2% males, average age 26.5 years. The tuberculin skin test (TST) was positive in 225 migrants (45%). Latent syphilis was diagnosed in 11 migrants, hepatitis C in 3 and 31 migrants were HBsAg positive. CONCLUSION Systematic screening for asymptomatic migrants in Malta is not recommended for hepatitis C and syphilis, given the low prevalence observed. On the contrary, it should be considered for hepatitis B. TST could be indicated as the first step of a two step screening for migrants from countries with high TB incidence. Efficacy and cost-effectiveness could be achieved by further targeting screening to specific subgroups at higher risk of reactivation, such as people living with HIV and subjects affected by chronic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Padovese
- National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (NIHMP), Via di San Gallicano 25/A, Rome 00153, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ramos JM, Masiá M, Padilla S, Escolano C, Bernal E, Gutiérrez F. [Imported and non-imported diseases in the immigrant population. A decade of experience from an infectious diseases unit]. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin 2011; 29:185-92. [PMID: 21349607 DOI: 10.1016/j.eimc.2010.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2010] [Revised: 11/23/2010] [Accepted: 11/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Immigration is an inexorable process. Immigrants may suffer infectious diseases commonly seen in our environment, or those more exotic or more prevalent in their own environment. MATERIAL AND METHODS A study was performed including all immigrants see in an Infectious Diseases Unit of a general hospital from June 2001 to May 2010. RESULTS We studied 1,071 patients from Latin America (n=405, 37.8%), Northern Africa (n=281, 26.2%), Eastern Europe (n=186, 17.4%), sub-Saharan Africa (n=178, 16.6%), and Asia (21, 2.0%). Transmissible infectious diseases were the leading cause of consultation (53.8%), and they were more common among people coming from Northern Africa (61.6%) and Eastern Europe (69.4%) (P=.001). The second reason for consultation was for common infectious diseases (29%). Tropical infectious diseases were diagnosed in 16.4% of the patients, particularly from sub-Saharan Africa (36%), and Latin America (25.9%) (P<.001). The most common diagnoses were latent tuberculous infection (20.8%) [most common in those from Eastern Europe (27.4%) (P=.004)], respiratory tract infection (12.5%), sexually transmitted infections (10.6%) [most common in patients from Northern Africa (17.1%) (P=.004)], chronic hepatitis (10.4%) [most common in patients from Eastern Europe (26.3%) (P<.001) and sub-Saharan Africa (16.9%) (P=.004)], and active tuberculosis (8.7%) [most common in sub-Saharan Africa patients (15.7%) (P=.001)]. CONCLUSIONS The spectrum of infectious diseases in the immigrant population in our area is broad, and includes a wide variety of tropical and communicable diseases, but also of common infections. While communicable diseases are the leading cause of consultation, common infections constitute an important part of health care activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José Manuel Ramos
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Alicante, España.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Salas J, Vázquez J, Cabezas T, Lozano AB, Cabeza I. [Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Sub-Saharan immigrants in Almería (Spain)]. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin 2011; 29:121-3. [PMID: 21330010 DOI: 10.1016/j.eimc.2010.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2009] [Revised: 05/20/2010] [Accepted: 07/08/2010] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is scant information available in Spain regarding virological markers and clinical status in Sub-Saharan patients infected with HVB. METHODS A cross-sectional and retrospective study of virological markers and clinical status of HBV infection in 510 adult patients from Sub-Saharan Africa, not co-infected with HIV, most of them from West Africa countries. RESULTS A total of 90.8% of patients had markers of HBV infection and 137 (26.9%) were HBsAg positive. Among patients with HBsAg positive, 55.9% were chronic inactive carriers. The predominant genotype was E. CONCLUSIONS The study shows a high prevalence of both markers of HBV infection and of chronic hepatitis B in immigrants from Sub-Saharan Africa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín Salas
- Unidad de Medicina Tropical, Hospital de Poniente, El Ejido, Almería, España.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sampedro A, Mazuelas P, Rodríguez-Granger J, Torres E, Puertas A, Navarro JM. [Serological markers in immigrant and Spanish pregnant women in Granada]. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin 2010; 28:694-7. [PMID: 20961669 DOI: 10.1016/j.eimc.2010.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2009] [Revised: 03/29/2010] [Accepted: 04/08/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Female immigration from less developed countries into Spain has grown in number over the years, and could contribute to changing the prevalence of routine serological markers in pregnant women. MATERIAL AND METHODS From April 2007 until May 2008 we studied the prevalence of serum antibodies against Treponema pallidum, Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV 1/2), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) in samples from 4,171 immigrant and Spanish pregnant women in Granada. RESULTS The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant immigrants was higher than in non-immigrants (44% vs. 14.4%). The overall prevalence against rubella was 97.3%. Sub-Saharan and North African women showed the lowest prevalence (88% and 89%). The prevalence of HBsAg was higher in immigrants than in Spanish women (2.6% vs. 0.4%), and especially high among the Eastern European (6.9%) and Asian (8.1%) pregnant women. The seroprevalences of HIV (0.9% vs. 0.1%) and syphilis (TPHA) (3.5% vs. 0.07%), were higher in immigrants. Seroprevalence against T. pallidum was higher among Eastern European (11.5%) and Latin-American (3.5%) women, whereas sub-Saharan (11.8%) and North African (1%) women showed the highest anti-HIV prevalence. CONCLUSION Hepatitis B, anti-HIV, syphilis, and antibodies against T. gondii are found more frequently in immigrants than in Spanish pregnant women, whereas rubella protection in Spanish women is higher than immigrant pregnant women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Sampedro
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, España
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|