Hepatitis B in a residential population with a mental handicap
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Hepatitis serology was used to assess the nature and extent of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the population of a residential centre for people with a mental handicap comprising 56 with Down's Syndrome (DS) and 193 with other mental handicaps (OMH). Markers of HBV were present in 170 cases (68%), of which 25 (10%) were HBsAg positive and potential carriers and 145 IgG anti-HBc positive (58%) indicating exposure to but not necessarily immunity from the virus. Of 25 who were HBsAg positive five were HBeAg positive, 17 were anti-HBe positive, two were HBsAg positive only and one was anti-HBe plus IgM anti-HBc positive. Age and length of residence were significantly associated with HBsAg, IgG anti-HBc and total markers of infection but the degree of mental handicap was not and the DS/OMH ratio only with HBsAg. The results indicated widespread HBV infection, no acute disease cases, relatively few infectious cases and a pre-disposition of DS residents to retain HBsAg in their sera. Vaccination of staff and at risk residents is recommended.
Hepatitis serology was used to assess the nature and extent of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the population of a residential centre for people with a mental handicap comprising 56 with Down's Syndrome (DS) and 193 with other mental handicaps (OMH). Markers of HBV were present in 170 cases (68%), of which 25 (10%) were HBsAg positive and potential carriers and 145 IgG anti-HBc positive (58%) indicating exposure to but not necessarily immunity from the virus. Of 25 who were HBsAg positive five were HBeAg positive, 17 were anti-HBe positive, two were HBsAg positive only and one was anti-HBe plus IgM anti-HBc positive. Age and length of residence were significantly associated with HBsAg, IgG anti-HBc and total markers of infection but the degree of mental handicap was not and the DS/OMH ratio only with HBsAg. The results indicated widespread HBV infection, no acute disease cases, relatively few infectious cases and a pre-disposition of DS residents to retain HBsAg in their sera. Vaccination of staff and at risk residents is recommended.