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Prevalence of hepatitis A antibody among disadvantaged gypsy children in northern Spain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

G. Cilla ,
E. Perez-Trallero ,
J. M. Marimon ,
S. Erdozain  and
C. Gutierrez
G. Cilla
Affiliation:
Microbiology Service and Infectious Epidemiology Unit, Hospital NS Aránzazu, San Sebastian, Spain
E. Perez-Trallero*
Affiliation:
Microbiology Service and Infectious Epidemiology Unit, Hospital NS Aránzazu, San Sebastian, Spain
J. M. Marimon
Affiliation:
Microbiology Service and Infectious Epidemiology Unit, Hospital NS Aránzazu, San Sebastian, Spain
S. Erdozain
Affiliation:
Microbiology Service and Infectious Epidemiology Unit, Hospital NS Aránzazu, San Sebastian, Spain
C. Gutierrez
Affiliation:
Microbiology Service and Infectious Epidemiology Unit, Hospital NS Aránzazu, San Sebastian, Spain
*
* Address for correspondence: Emilio Perez-Trallero, Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital NS Aránzazu, Apartado 477, 20080 San Sebastián, Spain.
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Summary

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The prevalence of antibody to hepatitis A virus (HAV) in a group of socially and economically disadvantaged Spanish gypsy children was compared to that of a group of non-gypsy middle-class children. The study included 438 children, 73 gypsies (38 girls and 35 boys, mean age 8·5 years, age range 2–16 years) and 365 non-gypsy controls, randomly selected by age. The presence of anti-HAV was investigated using ELISA.

Among the gypsy children, 82% had antibodies to HAV compared with 9·3% of the children in the control group. The unfavourable living conditions of the gypsy population (e.g. homes with poor sanitary conditions, overcrowding) may explain the high prevalence of HAV infection. These findings underline the need for specific action which targets disadvantaged populations.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 115 , Issue 1 , August 1995 , pp. 157 - 161
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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