Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C, and human immunodeficiency type 1 viruses in a rural population from the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

The seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) markers was evaluated in a group of 2042 subjects from a rural area in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, to obtain a better understanding of the transmission patterns of these viruses. Antibodies to HIV-1 were detected in 12 subjects (0.6%); the seroprevalence did not differ significantly by age or gender. Overall seroprevalence for HCV was 1.7% (in patients aged > 40 years, 5.6%). Hepatitis B surface antigen was detected in 8.8% of subjects, with the higher seroprevalence in children aged < or = 18 years of 13.4% contrasting with the higher seroprevalence of HCV in older subjects of the Equatoguinean studied population. These results indicate differences in the distribution of the viruses and, probably, different routes of transmission. The study demonstrates the existence of a high HBV carrier rate in children, concluding that hepatitis B vaccine should be incorporated into the Expanded Programme on Vaccination in Equatorial Guinea.