[Endemic hepatitis B in 2 marginal ethnic minorities. Comparative study].

BACKGROUND

To know and compare the prevalence of hepatitis B (HB) in two marginal populations (ciganes and gypsies) presumably pertaining to the same ethnic group and considered to have high risk for the disease.

METHODS

Serologic markers were determined in 245 ciganes (65% of the total of the cigane population) and in 127 gypsies (45% of the total gypsy population). One hundred three individuals randomly chosen from the neighborhood were studied as a control group.

RESULTS

HbsAg was negative in the gypsies and positive in 0.9% of the controls and in 27% of the ciganes (p < 0.001). HbeAg was positive in 15% of the ciganes and negative in the other two groups (p < 0.001). Antibodies were found in 10% of the controls, 12% of the gypsies and in 72% of the ciganes (p < 0.001). In gypsies it was found that 29% were infected from adolescence versus 13% of the control population (p < 0.001). High intrafamily horizontal transmission in infancy was found in the ciganes in addition to vertical transmission.

CONCLUSIONS

The different habits and more precarious life style of the ciganes with respect to the gypsies may be the cause for the hyperendemia of hepatitis B in the former.