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. 1992 Apr-Jun;7(2):78-83.

[The circulation of the hepatitis A and B viruses in the Somali population]

[Article in Italian]
K B Mohamud  1 , A Aceti, O M Mohamed, A Pennica, K A Maalin, R Biondi, M A Hagi, G Quaranta, S B Paparo, D Celestino, et al.
Affiliations
  • PMID: 1334688

[The circulation of the hepatitis A and B viruses in the Somali population]

[Article in Italian]
K B Mohamud et al. Ann Ital Med Int. 1992 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

We report the results of a study carried out to evaluate the extent of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) circulation in Somalia. Serum samples were collected from 593 subjects (age range 0-83 years) and tested for anti-hepatitis A (HAV) and anti-HAV IgM. Serum samples taken from 1272 individuals (age range 0-83 years) were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBsAg, anti-HBcAg, HBeAg and anti-HBeAg. We confirmed a very high rate of HAV exposure (about 90% of the subjects tested had circulating anti-HAV) as is typical of fecal-orally transmitted infectious agents. The age-specific anti-HAV IgM prevalence suggests that HAV infection is acquired very early in life. Our data also indicate a high rate of HBsAg carriers (range: 10.5%-27.4%) in the Somalian population. When all markers are considered, 60% of the adult population showed evidence of HBV exposure. HBV spreads very subtly: in fact, it is generally transmitted via non-overtly percutaneous routes. In Somalia, hepatitis A virus infection is highly endemic and occurs very early in life. Hepatitis B virus infection is also widespread in this country.

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