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Epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis B virus infection in Cyprus
G Papaevangelou1, A Róumeliotou, M Chatziminas
1National Center for Viral Hepatitis, Athens School of Hygiene, Greece.
Insights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant public health concern in Cyprus. A national vaccination program is recommended to control the spread of this virus, especially among high-risk populations.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a considerable public health challenge globally.
- Estimating the prevalence of HBV infection is crucial for implementing effective control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in various population groups in Cyprus.
- To assess the carrier rate, past infection rates, and immune status across different demographics.
- To evaluate the feasibility and immunogenicity of a pilot vaccination program.
Main Methods:
- Screening of diverse population samples including blood donors, military recruits, hospital staff, and high-risk groups using radioimmunoassays.
- Analysis of HBsAg carrier rates, past infection prevalence, and immune frequencies.
- Pilot vaccination program utilizing Merck Sharpe and Dohme hepatitis B vaccine.
Main Results:
- HBsAg carrier rates ranged from 0.77% to 1.01% in blood donors and army recruits.
- High-risk groups, such as family contacts of carriers, mentally retarded children, and institutionalized adults, showed elevated carrier rates.
- Thalassaemic and haemodialysis patients exhibited high frequencies of immunity, while hospital personnel had higher carrier rates than the general population.
- Pilot vaccination studies demonstrated excellent acceptance and immunogenicity.
Conclusions:
- Hepatitis B virus infection represents a major public health problem in Cyprus.
- A national vaccination program is essential for controlling the spread of HBV.
- Targeted vaccination strategies for high-risk groups and healthcare personnel are warranted.
Abstract:
The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Cyprus was estimated in a sample of 795 blood donors, 388 armed forces recruits, 1872 hospital staff, 135 haemodialysis patients, 559 thalassaemic patients, 722 institutionalised adults, 98 mentally retarded children and 323 family contacts of HBsAg carriers. Commercially available radioimmunoassays were used for screening. Merck Sharpe and Dohme hepatitis B vaccine was used for a vaccination pilot program. Our results showed that the carrier rate of HBsAg in the blood donor and army recruit samples ranged between 0.77% and 1.01% and the prevalence of past infection between 11.1% and 13.6%. Among high risk groups the highest carrier rate was found in family contacts of HBsAg carriers (18.27%), in mentally retarded children (6.12%) and in institutionalized adult patients (5.40%). The frequency of immunes was found 28.5%, 12.2% and 33.2% respectively. The highest frequency of immunes was found in thalassaemic (82.9%) and haemodialysis (43.7%) patients. The carrier rate (2.94%) and the prevalence of immunes (22.5%) in hospital personnel was higher than in general population. Vaccination studies in a limited number of thalassaemic children and hospital personnel showed excellent acceptance of vaccination and excellent immunogenicity. We infer that HBV infection should be consider as a major public health problem in Cyprus. A National Vaccination program has to be implemented for containing its spread.