Hepatitis B virus infection is common in institutions caring for the mentally handicapped. Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus share routes of transmission but the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in this population is unknown.
We have tested 101 patients from two institutions in South-East England caring for adults with mental handicap for the presence of hepatitis C antibody, hepatitis B core antibody, and if necessary hepatitis B surface antigen. None tested positive for hepatitis C antibody, but 43 had hepatitis B core antibody of whom 14 were chronic carriers positive for hepatitis B surface antigen.
Unlike hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus infection appears to be uncommon in UK institutions.
References
1.
KinghamJ.G.C., McGuireM.J., PaineD.H.D., WrightR.. Hepatitis B in a hospital for the mentally subnormal in Southern England.BMJ1978; 2: 594–6
2.
SzmunessW., PrinceA.M., EtlingG.F., PickR.. Development and distribution of haemagglutinating antibodies against the hepatitis B antigen in institutionalised populations.J Infect Dis1972; 126: 498–506
3.
AlterM.J.. Epidemiology of hepatitis C in the West.Semin Liver Dis1995; 15(1): 5–14
4.
DushcikoG.M., SmithM., ScheuerP.J.. Hepatitis C virus transmitted by human bite.Lancet1990; 336: 503–4
5.
IdeoG., BellatiG., PedraglioG., BotelliR., DonzelliT., PutignanoG.. Intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C virus.Lancet1990; 335: 353
6.
LevinsonW.M., WormsterG.P., ForseterG., CalmannM., O'BrienT.A.. Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence in the developmentally disabled.Arch Intern Med1992; 152: 2309–11
7.
ChaudharyR.K., PerryE., HicksF., MacleanC., MorheyM.. Hepatitis B and C infection in an institution for the developmentally handicapped.N Engl J Med1992; 327(27): 1953
8.
MartinezJ.L., Del HierroJ., CamareroA., MedardeA., LopezM.T., LatasaJ.. Hepatitis C virus infection in different risk groups and among blood donors.Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin1991; 9: 345–50
9.
KrugmanS., OverbyL.R., MushahwarI.K., LingC.M., FrosnerG.G., DeinhardtF.. Viral hepatitis type B. Studies on natural history and prevention re-examined.N Engl J Med1979; 300: 101–6
Blaine HollingerF., LinH.J.. Community acquired hepatitis C Virus infection [Editorial].Gastroenterology1992; 102: 1426–9
12.
MutimerD., HarrisonR., O'DonnellK.Hepatitis C virus infection in the asymptomatic British blood donor.J Viral Hepat1995; 2: 47–53
13.
EstebanJl, ViladomiuL., GonzalezA.Hepatitis C virus antibodies among risk groups in Spain.Lancet1989; 334: 294–7
14.
MortimerP.P., CohenB.J., LittonP.A.Hepatitis C virus antibody.Lancet1989; ii: 798
15.
YanoM.. Advances in hepatitis C: sero-epidemiology and natural history (Editorial).J Gastroenterol Hepatol1992; 7: 549–50
16.
CunninghamS.J., CunninghamR., IzmethM.G.A., BakerB., HartC.A.. Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C in a Merseyside hospital for the mentally handicapped.Epidemiol Infect1994; 112: 195–200
