Journal of Pediatrics
Volume 138, Issue 5, 2001, Pages 705-709

A prevalence study of hepatitis A virus infection in a migrant community: Is hepatitis A vaccine indicated? (Article)

Dentinger C.M. , Heinrich N.L. , Bell B.P.* , Fox L.M. , Katz D.J. , Culver D.H. , Shapiro C.N.
  • a Hepatitis Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States, Epidemic Intelligence Service, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States, Okeechobee County Health Department, Okeechobee, FL, United States, Florida Department of Health, Miami, FL, United States, Pediatric Service, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
  • b Hepatitis Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States, Epidemic Intelligence Service, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States, Okeechobee County Health Department, Okeechobee, FL, United States, Florida Department of Health, Miami, FL, United States, Pediatric Service, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
  • c Hepatitis Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States, Epidemic Intelligence Service, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States, Okeechobee County Health Department, Okeechobee, FL, United States, Florida Department of Health, Miami, FL, United States, Pediatric Service, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
  • d Hepatitis Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States, Epidemic Intelligence Service, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States, Okeechobee County Health Department, Okeechobee, FL, United States, Florida Department of Health, Miami, FL, United States, Pediatric Service, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
  • e Hepatitis Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States, Epidemic Intelligence Service, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States, Okeechobee County Health Department, Okeechobee, FL, United States, Florida Department of Health, Miami, FL, United States, Pediatric Service, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
  • f Hepatitis Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States, Epidemic Intelligence Service, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States, Okeechobee County Health Department, Okeechobee, FL, United States, Florida Department of Health, Miami, FL, United States, Pediatric Service, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
  • g Hepatitis Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States, Epidemic Intelligence Service, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States, Okeechobee County Health Department, Okeechobee, FL, United States, Florida Department of Health, Miami, FL, United States, Pediatric Service, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

Background: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends routine hepatitis A vaccination of children living in communities with high rates of hepatitis A. Rates among children living in migrant farm worker families are unknown. Methods: Participants recruited from the 1245 migrant children aged 2 to 18 years in Okeechobee County, Florida, were administered a questionnaire. A blood sample was taken for testing for antibodies to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV), and hepatitis A vaccine was administered. Results: Of 244 (20%) participating children, 125 (51%) were anti-HAV-positive. Seropositivity increased with age from 34% (2- to 5-year-olds) to 81% (≥14-year-olds) (P < .0001). In multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.2/year; 95% CI = 1.1 to 1.3), having a Mexican-born father (OR = 12.2; 95% CI = 2.2 to 227.9), and age on moving to the United States (OR = 1.3/year; 95% CI = 1.0 to 1.6) were independently associated with anti-HAV positivity. Among US-born children aged 2 to 5 years who had never left the United States, 33% were anti-HAV-positive. Conclusions: Anti-HAV prevalence among migrant children in Okeechobee County, including the youngest US-born children, is high, indicating ongoing transmission of HAV. Children in this and other US migrant communities may benefit from hepatitis A vaccination.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

male female major clinical study immigrant priority journal virus transmission vaccination prevalence hepatitis A antibody hepatitis A hepatitis A vaccine Article human adult Adolescent Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0035011254&doi=10.1067%2fmpd.2001.112652&partnerID=40&md5=f1124ab85d8111c407965b0dac2f2d6e
DOI: 10.1067/mpd.2001.112652
ISSN: 00223476
Cited by: 18
Original Language: English