Comparison of hepatitis A seroprevalence in blood donors in South Tunisia between 2000 and 2007.

The aim of the study was to assess hepatitis A virus (HAV) seroprevalence in blood donors from South Tunisia in two periods 2000 and 2007. Serum samples collected from 376 blood donors in each period aged 18 to 30 years from different regions of South Tunisia were analysed for anti-HAV IgG. The global seroprevalence of HAV infection was 85.9% in 2007 as compared with 94.9% in 2000. The seroprevalence in the 18-20 years age group was 91.9% in 2000 vs 80.6% in 2007, and increased to 99% in 2000 and 92% in 2007 in the subjects over 26. Taking account of geographic area, the HAV seroprevalence in Sfax city decreased from 88.9% in 2000 to 62.7% in 2007 (p < 0.001), but it is still approximatively the same in rural areas (98.4% and 96%) and in the governorates of South Tunisia (97.6% and 99.2%). In conclusion, the number of adults in the city of Sfax which are not immunized against HAV is increasing. Thus, adolescents and young adults are at risk to develop symptomatic and potentially severe hepatitis A.