Spatial analysis of viral hepatitis and schistosomiasis coinfection in an endemic area in Northeastern Brazil

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Márcio Bezerra Santos, Allan Dantas dos Santos, Patrícia Pereira da Silva, Aline Silva Barreto, Erlon Oliveira dos Santos, Alex Vianey Callado França, Constança Simões Barbosa, Karina Conceição Gomes Machado de Araújo
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
• Subjects: Schistosoma mansoni; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis C virus; Distribution mapping; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0411-2016; https://doaj.org/article/fd51cab2ac1c43a19490997e3f27e1df

Abstract INTRODUCTION: This cross-sectional study analyzed the spatial distribution of hepatitis B or C virus (HBV/HBC) and schistosomiasis coinfection. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from patients with Schistosoma mansoni infection. These were tested for serological markers of HBV/HCV infection. The spatial distribution of coinfection was analyzed using intensity kernel estimation. RESULTS: Overall, 9.4% of individuals had contact with HBV and 1.7% of samples tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies. We identified clusters of risk located in the central region. CONCLUSIONS: Spatial analysis allowed visualization of high-risk areas, leading to a definition of priority areas to be targeted for intensification of control interventions.