[Serological markers for hepatitis A, B and C in Madagascar. First investigation in a rural area]

The first serological survey of hepatitis A, B and C virus infection was carried out in Madagascar during 1993 in two rural villages (653 sera) of the middle-west. This study shows a high frequency of positivity of hepatitis A virus markers (94.9%). Hepatitis A is acquired in early childhood. The data show the high frequency of positivity of hepatitis B (HBV) markers: in the two villages 72.5% and 89.8% have one marker, and seroprevalence of HBs antigene is 18.9% and 30.5%. Hepatitis B also is acquired in early childhood. The data show that not only hepatitis A and B but also hepatitis C is highly prevalent (2.2% and 5.8%). There was an increase in HCV antibody prevalence with age.