11th International AIDS Conference Vancouver, British Columbia — July 7-12, 1996

Int Conf AIDS 1996 Jul 7-12; 11:457 (abstract no. Pub.C.1118)
Figueiredo GM, Veras MA, Luna EJ; Institute of Health, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Fax: 00-55-11-6052772.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and incidence of hepatitis B and C through their serologic markers in a cohort of MSM in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

METHODS: The Bela Vista Cohort Study is a 3 year follow up of MSM. Eligibility criteria are: 1) age between 18 and 59 years; 2) negative HIV serology; 3) non users of intravenous drugs at least 6 months before the first interview. Clinical and serologic evaluation are undertaken every six months. Data concerning life history on STDs, transfusions, use of blood products and hemophilia are collected during first clinical evaluation. Serologic markers on hepatitis B and C include HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HCV.

RESULTS: During the study's first 16 months 288 volunteers were recruited. Of them, 8 (2,8%) tested positive for HbsAg and 91 (31,9%) for anti-HBc in their first serologic screening, with a prevalence of 31,9%. Seroprevalence of anti-HCV was 2,8% (n=8) Out of the 113 volunteers who had completed the 6 months follow up until Nov 30, 1995, there were 2 seroconversions for HBsAg and no seroconversion for anti-HCV. The proportion of volunteers who reported blood transfusions or use of blood products was close to zero.

CONCLUSIONS: Seroprevalence of hepatitis B was high, especially when it is taken into account that factors other than sexual transmission had either been previously excluded or were negligible. This argument also lends support to the hypothesis concerning sexual transmission of hepatitis C; further analytical studies are necessary in order to better explore this hypothesis.(Supported by WHO, MS/BR, SES-SP and FAPESP)

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PubC1118

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