Hepatitis virus infection in an isolated canadian inuit (Eskimo) population

• Published in: Journal of Medical Virology
• Main Authors: Minuk, Gerald Y., Nicolle, Lindsay E., Postl, Brian, Waggoner, Jeanne G., Hoofnagle, Jay H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1982
• Subjects: Canada; Baker Lake; eskimo*; inuit
• 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

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.