Hepatitis B and Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection in South America
S48 Gut 1996; 38 (suppl 2): S48-S55 Hepatitis B and hepatitis delta virus infection in South America J R Torres R Abstract among other factors, by a deteriorating public About 100 000 cases of acute hepatitis B health and educational infrastructure, over- virus (HBV) infection occur annually in crowding of populations crammed into a few South America. The overall prevalence of large cities, resulting from uncontrolled inter- HBV infection in low risk populations nal and external influxes of population, as well ranges from 6.7% to 41%, while hepatitis B as persistent and extreme poverty.4 5 7 10 14-16 surface antigen (HBsAg) rates range from While it is certain that both HBV and HDV 0.4% to 13%. In high endemicity aboriginal infections are highly prevalent in South or rural populations, perinatal transmis- America, pronounced regional differences in sion may play a major part in the spread infection and carrier rates do exist, not only of HBV. In urban populations, however, among different nations within the area but also horizontal transmission, probably by - because of racial, geographical, socio- sexual contact, is the predominant mode of economic, and other related factors - within spread, with higher rates ofHBV positivity individual countries. Thus, in terms of mor- in lower socioeconomic groups. High risk bidity and mortality, a complex regional mosaic populations such as health care workers of epidemiological patterns and pathologies and haemodialysis patients show higher emerges. rates of HBV infection than comparable populations elsewhere. The risk of post- transfusion hepatitis B remains high in Data limitations some areas. Concomitant HBV infection Information on HBV prevalence in different may accelerate the chronic liver disease areas of South America remains partial and seen in decompensated hepatosplenic scarce, at best.
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