Article
HAV infection in Brazilian men who have sex with men: The importance of surveillance to avoid outbreaks
Registro en:
CASTRO, Lisie Souza et al. HAV infection in Brazilian men who have sex with men: The importance of surveillance to avoid outbreaks. Plos One, v. 16, n. 9, e0256818, p. 1 - 10, Sept. 2021.
1932-6203
10.1371/journal.pone.0256818
Autor
Castro, Lisie Souza
Rezende, Grazielli Rocha de
Fernandes, Fernanda Rodas Pires
Bandeira, Larissa Melo
Cesar, Gabriela Alves
Lago, Barbara Vieira do
Gouvêa, Michele Soares Gomes
Motta-Castro, Ana R. C.
Resumen
Background
Hepatitis A is a fecal-oral infection caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV). Men who have sex
with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) have been reported as target groups for
HAV infection. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence, risk factors, and circulating
strains associated with HAV infection among MSM and TW in Central Brazil.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2011 to September 2013. Serum
samples were collected from 425 individuals for anti-HAV antibody testing and HAV molecular
characterization. Of them, 149 (35.1%) participants were self-identified as transgender
women. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the risk factors of HAV seropositivity.
Results
The seroprevalence of HAV exposure was 69.7% (95% Confidence Interval: 65.3–74.0%).
Serological evidence of HAV was significantly higher in participants who self-identified as
transgender women (83.2%) than MSM (62.3%). Increasing age, non-white race, and lower
monthly household income were independently associated with HAV exposure among
MSM. Only lower monthly household income was independently associated with HAV exposure
among TW. One anti-HAV IgM positive sample, from a transgender woman (0.2%),
was detected and classified as subgenotype IA. Conclusions
High HAV prevalence was observed, markedly among TW. Considering the risky
sexual behaviors this population is exposed to, HAV vaccination and prevention programs targeting this population should be considered to prevent outbreaks and the burden of the
disease.