Nada M Melhem1, Miran Jaffa2, Mohamad Zaatari3, Hanane Awada2, Noura El Salibi2, Sami Ramia4. 1. Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, 11-0236 Riad El Solh 1107-2020, Beirut, Lebanon. 2. Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. 3. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hammoud Hospital University Medical Center, Saida, Lebanon. 4. Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, 11-0236 Riad El Solh 1107-2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: sramia@aub.edu.lb.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: A shift in the age of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection from early childhood to adulthood has been observed in many developing countries. This epidemiological shift has been attributed to improved socioeconomic status and sanitary conditions resulting in growing cohorts of susceptible young people and hence an increased risk of HAV outbreaks. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolutionary trend of anti-HAV seroprevalence in Lebanon in a cohort of Lebanese adults. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study employing a convenience sample (voluntary blood donors) along with secondary data analysis. Sera from 283 healthy blood donors were tested for anti-HAV IgG antibodies. Moreover, we analyzed the national reports of HAV cases published by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health since 2001. RESULTS: Anti-HAV seropositivity increased steadily from 60% in the younger age group (19-29 years) to 91% in the older age group (50-59 years), leaving the younger group at higher risk of acquiring HAV. The national data show that the number of acute hepatitis A infections is higher in the age groups 5-9 and 10-19 years. CONCLUSION: Our seroprevalence data reveal that young adults are becoming more at risk of acquiring HAV infection. Thus the introduction of hepatitis A vaccine is highly recommended.
OBJECTIVE: A shift in the age of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection from early childhood to adulthood has been observed in many developing countries. This epidemiological shift has been attributed to improved socioeconomic status and sanitary conditions resulting in growing cohorts of susceptible young people and hence an increased risk of HAV outbreaks. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolutionary trend of anti-HAV seroprevalence in Lebanon in a cohort of Lebanese adults. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study employing a convenience sample (voluntary blood donors) along with secondary data analysis. Sera from 283 healthy blood donors were tested for anti-HAV IgG antibodies. Moreover, we analyzed the national reports of HAV cases published by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health since 2001. RESULTS: Anti-HAV seropositivity increased steadily from 60% in the younger age group (19-29 years) to 91% in the older age group (50-59 years), leaving the younger group at higher risk of acquiring HAV. The national data show that the number of acute hepatitis A infections is higher in the age groups 5-9 and 10-19 years. CONCLUSION: Our seroprevalence data reveal that young adults are becoming more at risk of acquiring HAV infection. Thus the introduction of hepatitis A vaccine is highly recommended.
Authors: Olivier Uwishema; Mortada Abbass; Anushree Rai; Sara Arab; Rayyan El Saleh; Lama Uweis; Jack Wellington; Felix Musabirema; Irem Adanur; Helen Onyeaka Journal: Ann Med Surg (Lond) Date: 2022-09-13