[Assessing the force of hepatitis A virus infection in Colombia by applying catalytic models]

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Virology
• Public Health

Context:

• Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection poses a significant public health concern, particularly in developing regions.
• Understanding the force of infection and age of acquisition is crucial for effective vaccination strategies.
• Colombia presents a diverse epidemiological landscape for infectious diseases.

Purpose:

• To estimate the force of hepatitis A virus infection in a pediatric population (1–15 years) across six healthcare centers in Colombia.
• To determine the average age of HAV infection using catalytic models based on seroprevalence data.
• To analyze regional variations in HAV transmission dynamics within Colombia.

Summary:

• A study involving 2,152 children across five Colombian cities estimated anti-HAV seroprevalence.
• The force of infection varied by region, with notable rates in Barranquilla (1-4 years) and Medellin (1-9 years).
• Average age of infection ranged from 10.68 to 11.97 years in Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Cali, and Medellin.

Impact:

• The findings indicate a high anti-HAV prevalence in young adults, mirroring patterns in developing regions with intermediate endemicity.
• This research provides valuable data for public health interventions and vaccination programs targeting HAV in Colombia.
• The study highlights the importance of continued surveillance of HAV infection dynamics in pediatric populations.