[Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in patients with mental problems].

OBJECTIVES Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an important worldwide public health problem and it has been cause of elevated morbidity and mortality rates. The objectives of this study were determine the HBV infection seroprevalence in psychiatric institutions and in individuals with Down's syndrome, detect viral DNA in HBsAg and anti-HBc total positive serum samples and determine the HBsAg subtypes circulating these groups. METHODS The study assessed 433 subjects, with 408 being mentally disordered inpatients (71 had also chemical dependence), and 25 were Down's syndrome outpatientes. Blood samples were collected and tested for HBV markers: HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc total by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HBsAg positive samples were also tested for anti-HBc IgM, HBeAg, anti-HBe, and subtyped by radial immunodifusion. HBV-DNA was investigated in HBsAg and/or anti-HBc total positive samples by PCR methodology. RESULTS A global HBV positivity of 22.4% was detected. HBsAg was found in 1.6% of the samples. Among them, five were subtyped as adw2, adw4 and ayw3. DNA viral was found in 3 HBsAg samples and 11 HBsAg and anti-HBc total/anti-HBs positive samples, respectively. The risk factors analysis showed that multiple hospital admission were significantly associated with HBV markers. CONCLUSION These results show high HBV seroprevalence in groups investigated and reinforce the importance of HBV specifics preventive measures to reduce the risk of hepatitis B in individuals with mental disturbs and retard.