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Seroepidemiology of hepatitis A and hepatitis B virus in Luxembourg

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2006

J. MOSSONG ,
L. PUTZ ,
S. PATINY  and
F. SCHNEIDER
J. MOSSONG
Affiliation:
Laboratoire National de Santé, Luxembourg CRP–Santé, Luxembourg
L. PUTZ
Affiliation:
Laboratoire National de Santé, Luxembourg CRP–Santé, Luxembourg
S. PATINY
Affiliation:
Laboratoire National de Santé, Luxembourg
F. SCHNEIDER
Affiliation:
Laboratoire National de Santé, Luxembourg
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Abstract

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A prospective seroepidemiological survey was carried out in Luxembourg in 2000–2001 to determine the antibody status of the Luxembourg population against hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). One of the objectives of this survey was to assess the impact of the hepatitis B vaccination programme, which started in May 1996 and included a catch-up campaign for all adolescents aged 12–15 years. Venous blood from 2679 individuals was screened for the presence of antibodies to HAV antigen and antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) using an enzyme immunoassay. Samples positive for anti-HBs were tested for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) using a chemiluminiscent microparticle immunoassay to distinguish between individuals with past exposure to vaccine or natural infection. The estimated age-standardized anti-HAV seroprevalence was 42·0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 39·8–44·1] in the population >4 years of age. Seroprevalence was age-dependent and highest in adult immigrants from Portugal and the former Yugoslavia. The age-standardized prevalence of anti-HBs and anti-HBc was estimated at 19·7% (95% CI 18·1–21·3) and 3·16% (95% CI 2·2–4·1) respectively. Anti-HBs seroprevalence exceeding 50% was found in the cohorts targeted by the routine hepatitis B vaccination programme, which started in 1996. Our study illustrates that most young people in Luxembourg are susceptible to HAV infection and that the hepatitis B vaccination programme is having a substantial impact on population immunity in children and teenagers.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 134 , Issue 4 , August 2006 , pp. 808 - 813
Copyright
2006 Cambridge University Press