Estimativa da ocorrência de infecção aguda pelo vírus da hepatite A com base em dados sorológicos obtidos na rede brasileira de laboratórios clínicos

• Ano de defesa: 2011
• Autor(a) principal: Pelegrini, Andréia [UNIFESP]
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Tipo de acesso: Acesso aberto
• Idioma: por
• Instituição de defesa: Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)
• Palavras-chave em Português: Infecção aguda; Ocorrência; Hepatite A; Estudos transversais; Prevalência; Hepatite A/epidemiologia; Doença aguda; Infecção
• Link de acesso: http://repositorio.unifesp.br/handle/11600/9482

Several studies have shown a decline in hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in Brazil over the last years. Seroepidemiological data indicate a shift from high to intermediate endemicity; however, there is still a lack of surveillance data about the incidence of infection. Considering that these data can reflect transmission patterns in the community and characterize population groups at risk of infection, the aim of this study was to estimate the occurrence of acute HAV infection based on serological data from Brazilian clinical laboratories. Laboratories that performed serological tests for anti-HAV IgM were voluntarily enrolled in this study. Based on their databases, the anti-HAV IgM status, sex, age and geographical origin were informed. Statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS version 11.0 program. Between January and December 2008 57,405 tests were reported. The individuals aged between 0 and 108 years (average 34.3 ± 17.7 years and median 33 years) and 51.9% were females. Overall anti-HAV IgM positivity was 6.6% and the seropositivity rate for each Brazilian region was 2.3%, 4.5%, 6.4%, 15.2% and 16.2% for Southern, Southeast, Midwest, Northern and Northeast respectively. An association was found between risk of infection and individuals in the 3-19 years age group. An increased occurrence was detected in the 0-10 years age group and the risk decreased with age in the other groups. These data showed significative regional differences related to hepatitis A epidemiology in Brazil, reflecting distinct levels of socioeconomic status. In addition, they suggest a decrease in the occurrence of infection among children and a consequent increase in the susceptibility among adolescents and adults who are at risk of more severe disease. Taken together, these results may contribute to make decisions about vaccination policies and other public health initiatives to reduce the infection in our country.