Serologic characteristics of hepatitis B virus among hill-tribe children in Omkoi district, Chiangmai province, Thailand

Authors

  • Woottichai Khamduang Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiangmai, Thailand
  • Nichagamon Ponchomcheun Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiangmai, Thailand
  • Witchuda Yaaupala Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiangmai, Thailand
  • Phongpatchara Puwaruengpat Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiangmai, Thailand
  • Sayamon Hongjaisee Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiangmai, Thailand
  • Tanawan Samleerat Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiangmai, Thailand
  • Jintana Yanola Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiangmai, Thailand
  • Sakorn Pornprasert Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiangmai, Thailand
  • Kwanchai Ratanasthien Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiangmai, Thailand
  • Gonzague Jourdain Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiangmai, Thailand
  • Nicole Ngo-Giang-Huong Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiangmai, Thailand
  • Wasna Sirirungsi Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiangmai, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.10661

Keywords:

hepatitis B virus, vaccine, serological markers, hill-tribe children, Thailand

Abstract

Introduction: Thailand has integrated hepatitis B (HB) vaccination of newborns into the national Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in 1992. This has led to a dramatic decrease of HBsAg prevalence in children. However, HB vaccine coverage in remote areas is not well-known. This study aimed to investigate serologic characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) among hill-tribe children in Omkoi District, Chiangmai Province, Thailand.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted on stored samples collected from hill-tribe children attending the primary/secondary school in Omkoi District in December 2014. Sera were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc using enzyme immunoassays (MUREX, DiaSorin, Italy). Samples with anti-HBc positive were further assessed for HBV DNA using an in-house HBV DNA semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.

Results: Of 210 children evaluated, 4 (1.9%:95% CI 0.5-4.8) were HBsAg-positive. Of the 206 children HBsAg negative, 17 were anti-HBc and anti-HBs positive, 15 anti-HBc positive only, 26 anti-HBs positive only and 148 negative for both anti-HBc and anti-HBs. None of the children with anti-HBc were positive for HBV DNA.

Conclusions: A high percentage of children had no markers of HBV protection suggesting that HB vaccine coverage was not optimal in this area. Our results warrant HBV serologic investigations in other remote areas to assess whether HB vaccine coverage needs to be improved and to identify children who should be vaccinated.

Author Biographies

Tanawan Samleerat, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiangmai, Thailand

Infectious Diseases Research Unit, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Gonzague Jourdain, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiangmai, Thailand

Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) Unité Mixte Internationale 174-PHPT, Chiangmai, Thailand

Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States

Nicole Ngo-Giang-Huong, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiangmai, Thailand

Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) Unité Mixte Internationale 174-PHPT, Chiangmai, Thailand

Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States

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Published

2019-02-28

How to Cite

1.
Khamduang W, Ponchomcheun N, Yaaupala W, Puwaruengpat P, Hongjaisee S, Samleerat T, Yanola J, Pornprasert S, Ratanasthien K, Jourdain G, Ngo-Giang-Huong N, Sirirungsi W (2019) Serologic characteristics of hepatitis B virus among hill-tribe children in Omkoi district, Chiangmai province, Thailand. J Infect Dev Ctries 13:169–173. doi: 10.3855/jidc.10661

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 02: February 2019

Section

Brief Original Articles

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