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Hepatitis A antibodies: prevalence and persistence in a group of Mexican children
Insights
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibody prevalence declines in infants but rises sharply by age five in Mexico City. Recent HAV infections are common in young children, indicating early and high infection rates.
Area of Science:
- * Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- * Hepatitis A Virology
- * Immunology and Seroprevalence Studies
Background:
- * Hepatitis A virus (HAV) poses a significant global health burden, particularly in areas with suboptimal sanitation.
- * Understanding the seroprevalence and transmission dynamics of HAV in young children is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To determine the seroprevalence of antibodies against hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) in asymptomatic children under five years old in Mexico City.
- * To assess the timing of HAV infection and the presence of recent infections using anti-HAV immunoglobulin M (IgM).
Main Methods:
- * Analysis of serum samples from 275 asymptomatic children under five years old and 46 maternal-cord serum pairs.
- * Longitudinal follow-up of 163 infants with monthly serum sampling from birth to five months.
- * Detection of anti-HAV and anti-HAV IgM antibodies using serological assays.
Main Results:
- * All cord blood samples were positive for anti-HAV; prevalence decreased to 0% by eight months of age.
- * Anti-HAV prevalence increased to 25% in one-year-olds and 89% in five-year-olds.
- * Anti-HAV IgM was detected in infants under two months and in 19-67% of one- and five-year-old children, indicating recent infections.
Conclusions:
- * Hepatitis A infections occur at an earlier age and at higher rates in children in Mexico City compared to other locations.
- * The findings highlight the need for targeted vaccination strategies and public health awareness in this population.
Abstract:
The prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) was evaluated in sera from 275 asymptomatic infants and children under the age of five years and in 46 maternal-cord serum pairs, followed by sera obtained thereafter each month from the first to the fifth month of life in 29, 17, 9, 9 and 7 infants (a total of 163 serum samples). Anti-HAV was found in all cord blood sera, but its prevalence declined progressively to 0% among 19 infants aged eight months. Four (25%) of 16 children aged one year had positive anti-HAV and the antibody prevalence was 89% in children five years old. Recent hepatitis A infection shown by circulating anti-HAV immunoglobulin M was detected in five infants under the age of two months and with frequencies ranging from 19-67% in one- and five-year-old children. It was concluded that in children living in Mexico City, hepatitis A infections occur at an earlier age and at higher rates than in children in other cities, especially those in developed countries.
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