Epidemiological pattern and mortality rates for hepatitis A in Brazil, 1980-2002 - A Review

The prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is high in developing countries, in which low standards of sanitation promote the transmission of the virus. In Latin America, which is considered an area of high HAV endemicity, most HAV-positive individuals are infected in early childhood. Howeve...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz 2006-03, Vol.101 (2), p.119-127
Main Authors: Vitral, Claudia L, Gaspar, Ana Maria C, Souto, Francisco José D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Brazil
Brazil - epidemiology
Child
Child, Preschool
Disease Outbreaks
Endemic Diseases
hepatitis A
Hepatitis A - epidemiology
Hepatitis A - mortality
Hepatitis A - prevention & control
Hepatitis A virus
hepatitis A virus - hepatitis A/epidemiology - hepatitis A/mortality - Brazil
Humans
Incidence
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Middle Aged
PARASITOLOGY
Prevalence
Socioeconomic Factors
TROPICAL MEDICINE
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Summary:The prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is high in developing countries, in which low standards of sanitation promote the transmission of the virus. In Latin America, which is considered an area of high HAV endemicity, most HAV-positive individuals are infected in early childhood. However, recent studies have shown that prevalence rates are decreasing. Herein, we review the data on HAV prevalence and outbreaks available in scientific databases. We also use official government data in order to evaluate mortality rates in Brazil over the last two decades. Studies conducted in the northernmost regions of Brazil have indicated that, although improved hygiene has led to a reduction in childhood exposure to HAV, the greatest exposure still occurs early in life. In the Southeastern region, the persistence of circulating HAV has generated outbreaks among individuals of low socioeconomic status, despite adequate sanitation. Nationwide, hepatitis A mortality rates declined progressively from 1980 to 2002. During that period, mortality rates in the Northern region consistently exceeded the mean national rate and those for other regions. Excluding the North, the rates in all regions were comparable. Nevertheless, the trend toward decline observed in the South was paralleled by a similar trend in the North.
ISSN:1678-8060
0074-0276
0074-0276
1678-8060
DOI:10.1590/S0074-02762006000200001