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Kareem N, Al-Salahat K, Bakri FG, Rayyan Y, Mahafzah A, Sallam M. Tracking the Epidemiologic Shifts in Hepatitis A Sero-Prevalence Using Age Stratification: A Cross-Sectional Study at Jordan University Hospital. Pathogens 2021; 10:1081. [PMID: 34578114 PMCID: PMC8468970 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of hepatitis A virus (HAV) epidemiology and sero-prevalence has important public health implications. Changes in the epidemiology of hepatitis A can result in a larger pool of susceptible persons in countries with improved sanitation and hygienic conditions if vaccination is not provided. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of HAV immunoglobulin G (IgG) in Jordan. In addition, we aimed to identify the potential differences in HAV sero-prevalence based on age, among other variables. We recruited the study participants at Jordan University Hospital in Amman, Jordan, during October 2020-June 2021. Assessment of participants' socio-demographic variables was done using a paper-based questionnaire. Testing for HAV IgG was based on a competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The study population comprised 360 individuals with a median age of 18 years. The overall sero-prevalence of HAV in our study sample was 38.3%. Divided by age, the sero-prevalence of HAV was 8.2%, 12.3%, and 20.8% among individuals aged 10 years or less, 15 years or less, and 30 years or less, respectively. The estimated age at mid-population immunity was between 21 and 30 years. Besides age, individuals residing outside the Central region of Jordan had a significantly higher HAV sero-prevalence. Additionally, the use of filtered municipal water was associated with a lower sero-prevalence of HAV compared with the use of unfiltered municipal water among individuals aged 15 years or less. The results of this study suggest an intermediate to low endemicity of HAV in Jordan. An epidemiologic shift of HAV sero-prevalence with a declining rate of positivity for HAV IgG was noticed in this study. This highlights the importance of the recently introduced HAV vaccination in Jordan. Future research to evaluate the public health benefits of HAV vaccination in Jordan is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nariman Kareem
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan; (N.K.); (K.A.-S.); (A.M.)
| | - Khaled Al-Salahat
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan; (N.K.); (K.A.-S.); (A.M.)
- Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Faris G. Bakri
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan; (F.G.B.); (Y.R.)
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Center, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Yaser Rayyan
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan; (F.G.B.); (Y.R.)
- Gastroenterology and Liver Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Azmi Mahafzah
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan; (N.K.); (K.A.-S.); (A.M.)
- Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Malik Sallam
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan; (N.K.); (K.A.-S.); (A.M.)
- Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman 11942, Jordan
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Duarte G, Pezzuto P, Barros TD, Mosimann G, Martinez-Espinosa FE. Brazilian Protocol for Sexually Transmitted Infections 2020: viral hepatitis. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2021; 54:e2020834. [PMID: 34008732 PMCID: PMC8210490 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-834-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
This article discusses viral hepatitis, a theme addressed by the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines to Comprehensive Care for People with Sexually Transmitted Infections and, more precisely, by the Clinical Protocols and Therapeutic Guidelines for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C and Coinfections, published by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Besides the broad spectrum of health impairment, hepatitis A, B, and C viruses also present different transmission forms, whether parenteral, sexual, vertical, or fecal-oral. Among the strategies suggested for the control of viral hepatitis, in addition to behavioral measures, are expanded diagnosis, early vaccination against hepatitis A and hepatitis B viruses, and access to available therapeutic resources. Considering vertical transmission of the hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses, screening for pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B and C is an essential perinatal health strategy, indicating with precision those who can benefit from the prophylactic interventions. Viral hepatitis A, B, and C are responsible for more than 1.34 million deaths worldwide every year, from which 66% are the result of hepatitis B, 30% of hepatitis C, and 4% of hepatitis A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldo Duarte
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - Paula Pezzuto
- Ministério da Saúde, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Brasília, DF, Brasil
| | - Tiago Dahrug Barros
- Ministério da Saúde, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Brasília, DF, Brasil
| | - Gláucio Mosimann
- Ministério da Saúde, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Brasília, DF, Brasil
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Duarte G, Pezzuto P, Barros TD, Mosimann Junior G, Martínez-Espinosa FE. [Brazilian Protocol for Sexually Transmitted Infections 2020: viral hepatitis]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 30:e2020834. [PMID: 33729415 DOI: 10.1590/s1679-4974202100016.esp1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
This article discusses viral hepatitis, a theme addressed by the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines to Comprehensive Care for People with Sexually Transmitted Infections and, more precisely, by the Clinical Protocols and Therapeutic Guidelines for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C and Coinfections, published by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Besides the broad spectrum of health impairment, hepatitis A, B and C viruses also present different forms of transmission, whether parenteral, sexual, vertical or oral. Among the strategies suggested for the control of viral hepatitis, in addition to behavioral measures, are expanded diagnosis, early vaccination against hepatitis A and hepatitis B viruses, and access to available therapeutic resources. Considering vertical transmission of the hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses, screening for pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B and C is an important perinatal health strategy, indicating with precision those who can benefit from the prophylactic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldo Duarte
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - Paula Pezzuto
- Ministério da Saúde, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Brasília, DF, Brasil
| | - Tiago Dahrug Barros
- Ministério da Saúde, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Brasília, DF, Brasil
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