Little is known about chronic HBV and HCV infection and their sequelae among recent African immigrants in the United States. The aim of this study was to screen and characterize HBV and HCV infections in individuals of Somali descent in Minnesota using community-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies. Methods: Individuals of Somali descent were enrolled in a prospective screening study for chronic HBV and HCV infection. Blood samples were collected and tested for hepatitis B surface antigen
(HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb), hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb), and PS-341 molecular weight anti-hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV). Follow-up testing, health education, counseling, and referral were provided to participants. Results: Overall, 425 Somalis enrolled in this study and specimens were collected from 402 individuals (94.5%) median age: 46; 55.2% Male). 16.4 participants were found to have chronic HBV infection (HBsAg+) while 33.3% had been exposed and spontaneously cleared HBV (HBsAb+ and HBcAb+). 9% participants had chronic HCV infection and 19.40% were negative for markers of HBV and HCV. Follow up and linkage to care were provided to participants with chronic infections; advice and referral were provided to those who were negative for both infections.
Conclusions: Based on our findings, chronic HBV and HCV are major health problems among Somalis immigrants Paclitaxel order and refugees. Community-based screening is an effective way to identify and provide health education and linkage to care for individuals with or at risk for viral hepatitis. Disclosures: Lewis R. Roberts – Grant/Research Support: Bristol Myers Squibb, ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, BTG, Wako Diagnostics, Inova Diagnostics, Gilead Sciences The following people have nothing to disclose: Nasra H. Giama, Abdirashid Shire, Hassan M. Shaleh, Essa A. Mohamed Introduction: Although liver diseases are an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, there are few data on their
impact in Brazil. Aim: To estimate the burden of chronic viral hepatitis and liver cirrhosis in Brazil. Methods: In order to estimate the burden of chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis in Brazil for the year 2008, the indicator used was the disability-adjusted life year (DALY), which 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 corresponds to the sum of years of life lost due to premature mortality (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD). To estimate YLL, deaths attributable to chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis from 2007 to 2009 were obtained from the Brazilian Mortality Information System. To obtain incidence and duration of the conditions for YLD estimates, prevalence, along with remission and mortality data were used for modeling of disease in Dismod II, a World Health Organization’s software tool. Liver cirrhosis was analyzed in three etiologic categories: “hepatitis C”, “hepatitis B” and “alcohol and other causes”.