Studies on the prevalence of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) among children are scarce in Latin American countries, especially in Mexico. This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of HBV infection, occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) and HBV genotypes among children with clinical hepatitis. In total, 215 children with clinical hepatitis were evaluated for HBV infection. HBV serological markers and HBV DNA were analysed. OBI diagnosis and HBV genotyping was performed. HBV infection was found in 11.2% of children with clinical hepatitis. Among these HBV DNA positive-infected children, OBI was identified in 87.5% (n = 21/24) of the cases and 12.5% (n = 3/24) were positive for both HBV DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen. OBI was more frequent among children who had not been vaccinated against hepatitis B (p < 0.05) than in those who had been vaccinated. HBV genotype H was prevalent in 71% of the children followed by genotype G (8%) and genotype A (4%). In conclusion, OBI is common among Mexican children with clinical hepatitis and is associated with HBV genotype H. The results show the importance of the molecular diagnosis of HBV infection in Mexican paediatric patients with clinical hepatitis and emphasise the necessity of reinforcing hepatitis B vaccination in children.

The main etiology of liver disease in Mexico is alcohol and viral hepatitis. The aim of the present study was to analyze the current epidemiology of viral hepatitis in Mexico. From 2000 to 2007 the Ministry of Health reported 192 588 cases of hepatitis, 79% HAV, 3.3% HBV, 6% HCV, and 12% without a specific etiologic factor. Due to high endemic areas for HBV infection in native Mexican population, limitations in the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the serological immunoassays used to date and presence of occult hepatitis B in the country, the real prevalence of HBV infection could be even higher than HCV in Mexico. Hepatitis E virus in cirrhotic patients and in porcine farms could at least partially explain the cases of hepatitis that are diagnosed without a specific etiologic agent. Specific strategies to establish control regulations against viral hepatitis infections in Mexico are proposed.

Las hepatitis virales son una de las causas principales de daño hepático en México. En este estudio se analiza el estado actual de las hepatitis virales en México. La Secretaría de Salud informa un total de 192 588 casos de hepatitis virales entre 2000 y 2007. De éstos, 79% corresponden aVHA, 3.3% aVHB, 6% a VHC y 11.7% a casos sin agente etiológico descrito. No obstante, el VHB se podría estar subdiagnosticando, ya que hay zonas de alta endemia en poblaciones indígenas, existen limitaciones en la sensibilidad y especificidad de las pruebas inmunológicas y podría ser común la hepatitis B oculta. ElVHE podría ser uno de los agentes etiológicos de aquellos casos que carecen de un agente etiológico conocido. Se proponen estrategias específicas para el control de las hepatitis virales tendientes a disminuir el número de casos.

The main etiology of liver disease in Mexico is alcohol and viral hepatitis. The aim of the present study was to analyze the current epidemiology of viral hepatitis in Mexico. From 2000 to 2007 the Ministry of Health reported 192 588 cases of hepatitis, 79% HAV, 3.3% HBV, 6% HCV, and 12% without a specific etiologic factor. Due to high endemic areas for HBV infection in native Mexican population, limitations in the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the serological immunoassays used to date and presence of occult hepatitis B in the country, the real prevalence of HBV infection could be even higher than HCV in Mexico. Hepatitis E virus in cirrhotic patients and in porcine farms could at least partially explain the cases of hepatitis that are diagnosed without a specific etiologic agent. Specific strategies to establish control regulations against viral hepatitis infections in Mexico are proposed.

Las hepatitis virales son una de las causas principales de daño hepático en México. En este estudio se analiza el estado actual de las hepatitis virales en México. La Secretaría de Salud informa un total de 192 588 casos de hepatitis virales entre 2000 y 2007. De éstos, 79% corresponden aVHA, 3.3% aVHB, 6% a VHC y 11.7% a casos sin agente etiológico descrito. No obstante, el VHB se podría estar subdiagnosticando, ya que hay zonas de alta endemia en poblaciones indígenas, existen limitaciones en la sensibilidad y especificidad de las pruebas inmunológicas y podría ser común la hepatitis B oculta. ElVHE podría ser uno de los agentes etiológicos de aquellos casos que carecen de un agente etiológico conocido. Se proponen estrategias específicas para el control de las hepatitis virales tendientes a disminuir el número de casos.