Beutels M, Van Damme P, Aelvoet W, Desmyter J, Dondeyne F, Goilav C, Mak R, Muylle L, Pierard D, Stroobant A, Van Loock F, Waumans P, Vranckx R
University of Antwerp, Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination, WHO Collaborating Centre, Belgium.
Eur J Epidemiol. 1997 Apr;13(3):275-80. doi: 10.1023/a:1007393405966.
Viral hepatitis is a serious health problem throughout the world. No recent prevalence data on hepatitis A, B and C were available for the population in Flanders, Belgium. For this reason, a sero-epidemiological study was undertaken in 1993-1994 in a sample of the general population. The purpose of this study was to obtain a clear picture of the prevalence of hepatitis A, B and C. Between April 1993 and February 1994, 4,058 blood samples were drawn and collected in 10 hospitals in Flanders. The study group was representative for the Flemish population. For hepatitis A a seroprevalence of 55.1% was found. In the non-Belgian residents the HAV prevalence was significantly higher than in Belgians (62% versus 52%; chi2 = 8.05; p = 0.005). For hepatitis B. 9.9% of the study group showed serological evidence of hepatitis B markers: 6.9% of the participants was positive for anti-HBs/anti-HBc, 0.7% appeared to be HBsAg positive and 3.5% was solely anti-HBs positive. The prevalence of HBV markers in Belgians was 6.9%, significantly lower compared to the 13.4% among non-Belgians (chi 2 = 14.05; p = 0.00018). 4055 serum samples were analysed for hepatitis C serology by second generation anti-HCV tests. Anti-HCV was detected in 0.87% of the serum samples. No statistically significant difference was found in HCV prevalnece between Belgians and non-Belgians. Results of this study should help policy makers in their decisions on the most appropriate hepatitis A and B vaccination strategy and on the most effective prevention strategy for hepatitis C.
病毒性肝炎是全球一个严重的健康问题。比利时弗拉芒地区的人群缺乏近期甲型、乙型和丙型肝炎的流行率数据。因此，1993年至1994年对一般人群样本进行了血清流行病学研究。本研究的目的是清楚了解甲型、乙型和丙型肝炎的流行情况。1993年4月至1994年2月期间，在弗拉芒地区的10家医院采集了4058份血样。研究组代表了弗拉芒人群。甲型肝炎的血清流行率为55.1%。在非比利时居民中，甲型肝炎病毒（HAV）流行率显著高于比利时人（62%对52%；卡方=8.05；p=0.005）。对于乙型肝炎，9.9%的研究组显示有乙型肝炎标志物的血清学证据：6.9%的参与者抗-HBs/抗-HBc呈阳性，0.7%似乎HBsAg呈阳性，3.5%仅抗-HBs呈阳性。比利时人乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）标志物的流行率为6.9%，与非比利时人中的13.4%相比显著更低（卡方=14.05；p=0.00018）。通过第二代抗-HCV检测对4055份血清样本进行丙型肝炎血清学分析。在0.87%的血清样本中检测到抗-HCV。在比利时人和非比利时人之间，丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）流行率未发现统计学上的显著差异。本研究结果应有助于政策制定者就最适宜的甲型和乙型肝炎疫苗接种策略以及丙型肝炎最有效的预防策略做出决策。
