Seroprevalence of three types of hepatotropic virus among the teenage population of the province of Guadalajara, Spain

Abstract

Background: Viral forms of hepatitis are one of the most infectious disease groups most often encountered in human pathology, and although most are benign, some can evolve into chronic forms. The purpose of this study is that of ascertaining the prevalence of hepatitis C, Epstein-Barr and human herpesvirus-6 infections among eighth-graders (13-14 years of age) and to related the same to variables regarding the gender and environment (rural or urban) in which they were living. Methods: Descriptive, transversal study of a representative sample of the eighth-grade population in the province of Guadalajara during the 1998-1999 period. Systematic random sampling layered by gender and school (multi-stage sample format). The rate of specific IgG antibodies was determined using the ELISA technique. Results: A study was conducted of 268 school-age children (46.6% males). The prevalence of Epstein-Barr antibodies was of 73.5% (CI: 67.9%-78.5%); 72% (CI: 64%-80%) among the males and of 74.8% (CI: 67.7%-81.9%) among the females (NS); 65.6% (CI: 57.4%-73.8%) residing in an urban environment and 80.7% in a rural environment (p<0.05). The prevalence of those who tested positive for the hepatitis virus was that of 0.7% - two individuals, both females, one of whom resided in an urban environment and the other in a rural environment. For herpesvirus-6, the prevalence was of 82.4% (CI: 77.9%-86.9%); 81.5% (CI: 74.7%-88.3%) among the males and of 83.2% (CI: 77.1%-89.3%) among the females (NS), 86.7% (CI: 80.4%-92.2%) residing in an urban environment and 78.5% (CI: 73.1%-86.5%) in a rural environment (p<0,05). Conclusions: The prevalence of Epstein-Barr and human herpesvirus-6 and low degree as regards VHC is high, which tallies with the characteristics of the environment and age of the individuals under study.