Hepatitis virus infection in an isolated canadian inuit (Eskimo) population
Abstract The epidemiology of Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was studied in a northern Canadian Inuit (Eskimo) settlement. Sera from 720 of the 850 inhabitants of Baker Lake, Canada, were tested for markers of HAV and HBV infection. Anti‐HAV was present in 71% of the re...
Published in: | Journal of Medical Virology |
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Main Authors: | , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Wiley
1982
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmv.1890100405 https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fjmv.1890100405 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/jmv.1890100405 |
Summary: | Abstract The epidemiology of Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was studied in a northern Canadian Inuit (Eskimo) settlement. Sera from 720 of the 850 inhabitants of Baker Lake, Canada, were tested for markers of HAV and HBV infection. Anti‐HAV was present in 71% of the residents and its prevalence increased with age. Serologic evidence of HBV infections was found in 27% of residents. The prevalence increased with age, being uncommon under the age of 20 (6%)and almost universal over the age of 60 (93%). Among the 29 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers identified, all were adults, all had low levels of HBsAg, and all were negative for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and DNA polymerase but positive for antibody to HBeAg. These data demonstrate a high prevalence of HAV and HBV infection in this population. Further, they suggest that a dramatic decrease in the transmission of HRV infection has occurred over the past 20–30 years. |
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