       Document 0361
 DOCN  M9610361
 TI    High prevalence of hepatitis B, C, and E markers in young sexually
       active adults from the Central African Republic.
 DT    9601
 AU    Pawlotsky JM; Belec L; Gresenguet G; Deforges L; Bouvier M; Duval J;
       Dhumeaux D; Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Hopital Henri
       Mondor,; Universite Paris XII, Creteil, France.
 SO    J Med Virol. 1995 Jul;46(3):269-72. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96028720
 AB    The Central African Republic is located in tropical Africa, where both
       the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) are
       highly endemic. The exact prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and
       hepatitis E virus (HEV) markers in this country is unknown. The aim of
       the study was to determine, according to HIV and HBV serostatus, the
       prevalence of these markers in young sexually active adults in the
       Central African Republic. One hundred and fifty-seven consecutive
       patients attending the National Centre for Sexually Transmitted Diseases
       in Bangui were included. The following serological markers were
       examined: (i) anti-HIV1 and anti-HIV2 antibodies; (ii) markers of HBV
       infection; (iii) anti-HCV antibodies; (iv) anti-HEV antibodies.
       Anti-HIV1 antibodies were found in 31 of the 157 patients (20%). The
       prevalence of anti-HBc antibodies, reflecting exposure to HBV, was
       140/157 (89%) and 45 had detectable anti-HBs antibodies. Twenty-two
       patients (14%) were chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen
       (HBsAg), but only one was HBe antigen-positive. Anti-HCV antibodies were
       found in 8 persons (5%) and anti-HEV antibodies in 38 (24%). No
       difference was found in the prevalence of these markers according to the
       presence or absence of anti-HIV antibodies. This study confirms the high
       rate of HIV infection, HBV exposure and chronic carriage of HBsAg in
       sexually active young adults in the Central African Republic. A high
       prevalence of HCV markers was found in this population, similar to that
       reported in neighbouring countries, together with a high rate of HEV
       markers, suggesting that HEV is endemic in this region.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  Central African Republic/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Female
       Hepatitis Antibodies/*BLOOD  Hepatitis B/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/IMMUNOLOGY
       Hepatitis B Antibodies/BLOOD  Hepatitis C/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/IMMUNOLOGY
       Hepatitis C Antibodies/BLOOD  Hepatitis E/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/IMMUNOLOGY
       Human  HIV Infections/EPIDEMIOLOGY/IMMUNOLOGY  *HIV Seroprevalence
       HIV-1/IMMUNOLOGY  HIV-2/IMMUNOLOGY  Male  Middle Age  Prevalence
       Seroepidemiologic Methods  *Sex Behavior  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

