Autor(es): Joubert J J, Prozesky O W, Lourens J G, van Straten A M, Theron J W, Swanevelder C, Meenehan G M, van der Merwe C A

Resumo: A survey of the frequency of hepatitis B markers in 258 subjects from Kavango, northern South West Africa/Namibia, was undertaken during February - May 1983. The hepatitis B surface antigen - hepatitis B e antigen carrier rates were 13,6% - 2,7% respectively. Only 1,9% of the subjects were negative for all the markers tested, indicating that infection had been present at some stage in 98,1% of the sample. No known transmission method of the virus seems to fit this high exposure rate. The possibility that arthropod transmission of the virus may play a role in the epidemiology of the disease in Kavango is being investigated. All subjects tested for antibodies to hepatitis A virus were found to give a positive result. Of the arboviruses tested for, West Nile virus was usually predominant - was probably responsible for most of the arbovirus infections. Antibodies to the Sindbis, Chikungunya, Germiston - Rift Valley fever viruses were also found.

Palavras-Chave: Arbovirus infection; Epidemiology; Hepatitis virus; Kavango; Marker frequency; Northern Namibia and Virology

Imprenta: South African Medical Journal, v. 67, n. 13, p. 500-502, 1985

Descritores: Chikungunya virus - Arbovirus ; Chikungunya virus - Flaviviridae ; Chikungunya virus - Pathogenesis ; Chikungunya virus - Proteins ; Chikungunya virus - Antibodies ; Chikungunya virus - Viral infections ; Chikungunya Virus - Virus ; Chikungunya virus - Transmission ; Chikungunya virus - Chikungunya fever ; Chikungunya virus - Epidemiology ; Chikungunya virus - Immunology

Data de publicação: 1985

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