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Viral hepatitis in Bucharest.

Paquet C Babes VT Drucker J Sénémaud B Dobrescu A
Bulletin of the World Health Organization 1993 ; 71(6); 781-6. doi: . Epub 1994 03 23
Adult Age Factors Child Demographic Factors Developed Countries Diseases Eastern Europe Europe Examinations And Diagnoses Hematologic Tests Hepatitis Laboratory Examinations And Diagnoses Laboratory Procedures Population Population Characteristics Research Report Romania Urban Population Viral Diseases Youth

Abstract

A seroprevalence survey of viral hepatitis was conducted in Bucharest, Romania, between April and July 1990 on a systematic sample of 1355 persons drawn from the general population and groups at higher risk of infection. Sera were tested for hepatitis A, B, and C (HAV, HBV and HCV, resp.) markers using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The prevalences of HAV and HBV markers were high in all groups. A total of 47% of the adults from the general population and 39.8% of the children aged 0-16 years had at least one HBV marker. Of the pregnant women 7.8% were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen. Among infants (0-3 years of age) living in orphanages, the prevalence of at least one HBV marker was 54.6%. The findings also confirmed that HCV was circulating in Romania. The results are consistent with national surveillance data and confirm that viral hepatitis is a major public health problem in Romania. Preventive measures will have to include HBV immunization of infants, with an appropriately targeted immunization strategy being determined through further epidemiological studies.

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