Open AccessSerologic characteristics of hepatitis B virus among hill-tribe children in Omkoi district, Chiangmai province, Thailand
Author(s) -
Woottichai Khamduang,
Nichagamon Ponchomcheun,
Witchuda Yaaupala,
Phongpatchara Puwaruengpat,
Sayamon Hongjaisee,
Tanawan Samleerat,
Jintana Yanola,
Sakorn Pornprasert,
Kwanchai Ratanasthien,
Gonzague Jourdain,
Nicole NgoGiangHuong,
Wasna Sirirungsi
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of infection in developing countries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.322
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 2036-6590
pISSN - 1972-2680
DOI - 10.3855/jidc.10661
Subject(s) - hbsag , medicine , serology , hepatitis b virus , vaccination , virology , hepatitis b , immunology , virus , antibody
Thailand has integrated hepatitis B (HB) vaccination of newborns into the national Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in 1992. This has led to a dramatic decrease of HBsAg prevalence in children. However, HB vaccine coverage in remote areas is not well-known. This study aimed to investigate serologic characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) among hill-tribe children in Omkoi District, Chiangmai Province, Thailand.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted on stored samples collected from hill-tribe children attending the primary/secondary school in Omkoi District in December 2014. Sera were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc using enzyme immunoassays (MUREX, DiaSorin, Italy). Samples with anti-HBc positive were further assessed for HBV DNA using an in-house HBV DNA semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.
Results: Of 210 children evaluated, 4 (1.9%:95% CI 0.5-4.8) were HBsAg-positive. Of the 206 children HBsAg negative, 17 were anti-HBc and anti-HBs positive, 15 anti-HBc positive only, 26 anti-HBs positive only and 148 negative for both anti-HBc and anti-HBs. None of the children with anti-HBc were positive for HBV DNA.
Conclusions: A high percentage of children had no markers of HBV protection suggesting that HB vaccine coverage was not optimal in this area. Our results warrant HBV serologic investigations in other remote areas to assess whether HB vaccine coverage needs to be improved and to identify children who should be vaccinated.