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Hepatitis A and B in Australian Aboriginals living in an urban community
Author(s) -
PATTERSON FRANKIE,
DENT OWEN,
HALL JOSEPH,
SMITH COLEMAN
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.1987.tb00205.x
Subject(s) - hbsag , medicine , hepatitis b virus , serology , antibody , virology , hepatitis b , epidemiology , immunology , transmission (telecommunications) , antigen , virus , electrical engineering , engineering
A high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is recognized in Australian Aboriginals, but epidemiological data on contemporary Aboriginal communities are limited. This study investigated HBV infection in urban Aboriginals from Condobolin, New South Wales, Australia. Sera from 236 Aboriginals and 125 Caucasians were screened by radio‐immunoassay for hepatitis B surface and e antigens, antibodies to surface, e and core antigens (including IgM anti‐HB core—EIA), and antibodies to hepatitis A virus (anti‐HAV). Sera which were positive for HBsAg were tested for hepatitis B e antigen, HBV‐DNA polymerase and HBV‐DNA molecular hybridization. More than half the Aboriginals tested (57.6%) had serological evidence of HBV infection (16.9% HBsAg) and 84.5% had anti‐HAV. There were no statistically significant differences between males and females for any marker. The Caucasians had 7.2% HBV antibodies, no HBsAg and 32.0% anti‐HAV. Aboriginal children in their first decade had 36.0% HBsAg and the prevalence of this antigen fell to 4.2% in Aboriginals over 50 years of age. The opposite age trend was found for antibodies which increased from 16% in children to a peak of 55.2% for adults aged 30–39. Endemic hepatitis B acquired early in life is evident in this Australian Aboriginal urban community. Transmission may be vertical or horizontal or both. Immunoprophylaxis with immune globulin and hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for neonates and seronegative individuals. The 91% prevalence of anti‐HAV in these Aboriginals aged 10–19 years is comparable to that of the developing world.