Marked Decrease in the Incidence and Prevalence of Hepatitis A in the Basque Country, Spain, 1986-2004

Overview

Journal Epidemiol Infect

Publisher Cambridge University Press

Specialties Infectious Diseases
Public Health

Date 2006 Jul 20

PMID 16848926

Citations 4

Authors

G Cilla

E Perez-Trallero

J Artieda

E Serrano-Bengoechea

M Montes

D Vicente

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine changes in the epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in the Basque Country, Spain, and to evaluate their implications for vaccination strategies. A total of 1356 persons were enrolled in a study of the prevalence of anti-HAV in 2004 and compared with two previous studies (1986-1987 and 1992). The selection method and the characteristics of the population were similar in the three studies. A marked decline in the seroprevalence in all age groups (P<0.001) and in the incidence of cases/100,000 inhabitants (from 38.0 in 1986-1988 to 2.9 in 2002-2004) were observed. The mean age of patients with hepatitis A increased from 17.7 years in 1986-1992 to 21.2 years in 1993-1998 and 25.3 years in 1999-2004 (P<0.001). Between 1997 and 2004, 20% of patients were hospitalized. The changes observed have occurred rapidly causing a change in the epidemiological pattern from middle-high endemicity (1986) to low endemicity (2004).

Citing Articles

Evolution and Impact of Hepatitis A Epidemiology in Europe-Systematic Literature Review of the Last 20 Years.

Andani A, Mellou K, Dewda P, Eeuwijk J, Kassianos G, Van Damme P J Viral Hepat. 2024; 32(1):e14030.

PMID: 39526433 PMC: 11657646. DOI: 10.1111/jvh.14030.

Outbreak of hepatitis A in a nursery school.

Galmes-Truyols A, Gimenez-Duran J, Nicolau-Riutort A, Bosch-Isabel C, Vanrell-Berga J, Portell-Arbona M Biomed Res Int. 2013; 2013:684908.

PMID: 24167815 PMC: 3792544. DOI: 10.1155/2013/684908.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus in a cross-sectional study in Mexico: Implications for hepatitis A vaccination.

Lazcano-Ponce E, Conde-Gonzalez C, Rojas R, DeAntonio R, Romano-Mazzotti L, Cervantes Y Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2013; 9(2):375-81.

PMID: 23291940 PMC: 3859760. DOI: 10.4161/hv.22774.

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis a in the croatian population.

Vilibic-cavlek T, Kucinar J, Ljubin-Sternak S, Kolaric B Hepat Mon. 2012; 11(12):997-9.

PMID: 22368685 PMC: 3282034. DOI: 10.5812/kowsar.1735143X.756.

References

Staes C, Schlenker T, Risk I, Cannon K, Harris H, Pavia A . Sources of infection among persons with acute hepatitis A and no identified risk factors during a sustained community-wide outbreak. Pediatrics. 2000; 106(4):E54. DOI: 10.1542/peds.106.4.e54. View

Franco E, Vitiello G . Vaccination strategies against hepatitis A in southern Europe. Vaccine. 2003; 21(7-8):696-7. DOI: 10.1016/s0264-410x(02)00582-0. View

Jacobsen K, Koopman J . The effects of socioeconomic development on worldwide hepatitis A virus seroprevalence patterns. Int J Epidemiol. 2005; 34(3):600-9. DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyi062. View

Antunes H, Macedo M, Estrada A . [Hepatitis A virus prevalence: Portuguese first results of low endemicity]. Acta Med Port. 2005; 17(3):219-24. View

Van Damme P, Banatvala J, Fay O, Iwarson S, McMahon B, Van Herck K . Hepatitis A booster vaccination: is there a need?. Lancet. 2003; 362(9389):1065-71. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14418-2. View

Amela C, Pachon I, Bueno R, de Miguel C, Martinez-Navarro F . Trends in hepatitis A virus infection with reference to the process of urbanization in the greater Madrid area (Spain). Eur J Epidemiol. 1995; 11(5):569-73. DOI: 10.1007/BF01719310. View

Dagan R, Leventhal A, Anis E, Slater P, Ashur Y, Shouval D . Incidence of hepatitis A in Israel following universal immunization of toddlers. JAMA. 2005; 294(2):202-10. DOI: 10.1001/jama.294.2.202. View

van Steenbergen J, Tjon G, van den Hoek A, Koek A, Coutinho R, Bruisten S . Two years' prospective collection of molecular and epidemiological data shows limited spread of hepatitis A virus outside risk groups in Amsterdam, 2000-2002. J Infect Dis. 2004; 189(3):471-82. DOI: 10.1086/381152. View

Thierfelder W, Hellenbrand W, Meisel H, Schreier E, Dortschy R . Prevalence of markers for hepatitis A, B and C in the German population. Results of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998. Eur J Epidemiol. 2002; 17(5):429-35. DOI: 10.1023/a:1013792013184. View

10.

Almasio P, Amoroso P . HAV infection in chronic liver disease: a rationale for vaccination. Vaccine. 2003; 21(19-20):2238-41. DOI: 10.1016/s0264-410x(03)00139-7. View

11.

Dominguez A, Bruguera M, Plans P, Costa J, Salleras L . Prevalence of hepatitis A antibodies in schoolchildren in Catalonia (Spain) after the introduction of universal hepatitis A immunization. J Med Virol. 2004; 73(2):172-6. DOI: 10.1002/jmv.20072. View

12.

Lopalco P, Salleras L, Barbuti S, Germinario C, Bruguera M, Buti M . Hepatitis A and B in children and adolescents--what can we learn from Puglia (Italy) and Catalonia (Spain)?. Vaccine. 2000; 19(4-5):470-4. DOI: 10.1016/s0264-410x(00)00193-6. View

13.

Perez-Trallero E, Cilla G, Urbieta M, Dorronsoro M, Otero F, Marimon J . Falling incidence and prevalence of hepatitis A in northern Spain. Scand J Infect Dis. 1994; 26(2):133-6. DOI: 10.3109/00365549409011775. View

14.

Dal-Re R, Garcia-Corbeira P, Garcia-de-Lomas J . A large percentage of the Spanish population under 30 years of age is not protected against hepatitis A. J Med Virol. 2000; 60(4):363-6. View

15.

Bruguera M, Salleras L, Plans P, Vidal J, Navas E, Dominguez A . [Changes in seroepidemiology of hepatitis A virus infection in Catalonia in the period 1989-1996. Implications for new vaccination strategy]. Med Clin (Barc). 1999; 112(11):406-8. View

16.

DAmelio R, Mele A, Mariano A, Romano L, Biselli R, Lista F . Hepatitis A, Italy. Emerg Infect Dis. 2005; 11(7):1155-6. PMC: 3371791. DOI: 10.3201/eid1107.041157. View

17.

Wasley A, Samandari T, Bell B . Incidence of hepatitis A in the United States in the era of vaccination. JAMA. 2005; 294(2):194-201. DOI: 10.1001/jama.294.2.194. View

18.

. Prevention of hepatitis A through active or passive immunization: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 1999; 48(RR-12):1-37. View

19.

Jacobsen K, Koopman J . Declining hepatitis A seroprevalence: a global review and analysis. Epidemiol Infect. 2005; 132(6):1005-22. PMC: 2870191. DOI: 10.1017/s0950268804002857. View

20.

. Recommended childhood and adolescent immunization schedule--United States, January-June 2004. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2004; 53(1):Q1-4. View