Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection among recyclable waste collectors in central Brazil
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2014-02
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Resumo
The collection of recyclable waste materials is a widespread activity among the urban poor. Today, this occupation
attracts an increasingly large number of individuals. Despite its economic and environmental importance, this activity is associated
with unsafe and unhealthy working conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroepidemiological profi le of hepatitis
B virus (HBV) infection in a population of recyclable waste collectors in central Brazil. Methods: Recyclable waste collectors from
all 15 recycling cooperatives in Goiânia City were invited to participate in the study. The participants (n = 431) were interviewed
and screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies against HBsAg (anti-HBs) and hepatitis B core antigen
(anti-HBc) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HBsAg- and anti-HBc-positive samples were tested for HBV DNA
and genotyped. Results: The overall prevalence of HBV infection (HBsAg- and/or anti-HBc-positive) was 12.8%. An age over
40 years and illicit drug use were associated with HBV infection. HBV DNA was detected in 2/3 HBsAg-positive samples and in
1/52 anti-HBc-positive/HBsAg-negative samples (an occult HBV infection rate of 1.9%), in which the genotypes/subgenotypes
A/A1, D/D3 and F/F2 were identifi ed. Only 12.3% of the recyclable waste collectors had serological evidence of previous HBV
vaccination. Conclusions: These fi ndings highlight the vulnerability of recyclable waste collectors to HBV infection and reinforce
the importance of public health policies that address the health and safety of this socially vulnerable population.
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Hepatitis B, Genotypes, Recyclable waste collectors, Associated factors, Prevalence
Citação
MARINHO, Tamiris Augusto; LOPES, Carmen Luci Rodrigues; TELES, Sheila Araujo; MATOS, Marcos Andre de; MATOS, Márcia Alves Dias de; KOZLOWSKI, Aline Garcia; OLIVEIRA, Marina Pedroso de; SILVA, Agabo Macedo da Costa e; MARTINS, Regina Maria Bringel. Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection among recyclable waste collectors in central Brazil. Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical, Uberaba, v. 47, n. 1, p. 18-23, Jan./Feb. 2014.