Hepatitis E in South Africa: evidence for sporadic spread and increased seroprevalence in rural areas

Autor:	T J, Tucker, R E, Kirsch, S J, Louw, S, Isaacs, J, Kannemeyer, S C, Robson
Rok vydání:	1996
Předmět:	Adult Cohort Studies Rural Population South Africa Hepatitis E virus Humans Hepatitis Antibodies Hepatitis E
Zdroj:	Journal of medical virology. 50(2)
ISSN:	0146-6615
Popis:	Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of non-A, non-B hepatitis in developing countries. Factors influencing sporadic spread of hepatitis E are unclear. We examined anti-HEV seroprevalence and demographic data from 407 urban and 360 rural black South African adults living in formal housing, squatter camps, or mud huts. Anti-HEV sero-prevalence ranged from 5.8% to 19.1% (mean 10.7%) in the different regions. Mean urban and rural rates were 6.6% and 15.3%, respectively (P = 0.0001). Rural mud hut dwellers, using unchlorinated river water, were at greater risk (17.4%) than rural villagers (5.3%; P = 0.008). A linear relation was found between seroprevalence and age, suggesting sporadic spread. The high prevalence in mud hut dwellers suggests that contaminated water plays a major role in HEV spread in South Africa. Routine chlorination or boiling of river drinking water before consumption may reduce HEV infection.
Databáze:	OpenAIRE
Externí odkaz:	https://explore.openaire.eu/search/publication?articleId=pmid________::0b662027bae8eaab88a183ed812e6e8d https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8915876 Zobrazit plný text záznamu Plný text