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Prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B in Spanish prostitutes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2009

L. Requena Caballero*
Affiliation:
Department of Dermatology, Military Hospital ‘Góomez-Ulla’, Madrid
C. Requena Caballero
Affiliation:
Department of Dermatology, Military Hospital ‘Góomez-Ulla’, Madrid
I. Requena Caballero
Affiliation:
Department of Dermatology, Military Hospital ‘Góomez-Ulla’, Madrid
M. Sánchez López
Affiliation:
Department of Dermatology, Military Hospital ‘Góomez-Ulla’, Madrid
F. Vázquez López
Affiliation:
Department of Dermatology, Clinic Hospital ‘San Carlos’, Madrid
J. Romero Guerrero
Affiliation:
‘Martínez-Anido’STD Clinic, Madrid
M. Casado Jiménez
Affiliation:
‘Martínez-Anido’STD Clinic, Madrid
*
*Correspondence should be addressed to Dr L. Requena Caballero, C/ Leopoldo Alas Clarin 4–GF, 28035 Madrid, Spain.
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Eighty prostitutes wore tested by solid-phase radioimmunoassay for serum markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Of 8 (10%) with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), 6 (75%) also had hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg). Antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs) and to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) were found in 52 (65%). Antibodies to HBeAg (anti-HBe) were positive in 32 (40%). Anti-HBc alone was found in 5 (6%) and anti-HBs alone in 2 (2%). Sixty-seven (84%) were positive for at least one HBV marker and 13 (16%) were still susceptible to infection. Hepatitis B markers were more prevalent in prostitutes than in the normal Spanish population. Age, a history of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), drug abuse and promiscuity are factors which were highly related to hepatitis B markers. We concluded that screening prostitutes for the presence of markers and vaccinating those who are negative would be worth while.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

References

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