Prevalence of serological markers and risk factors for bloodborne pathogens in Salvador, Bahia state, Brazil

Abstract

SUMMARYThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of serological markers for HIV-1/2, HBV, HCV,Treponema cruziandT. palliduminfections. The association of these infections with risk factors in a population from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil was also analysed. Of the 780 enrolled individuals, 545 (70%) were female and 235 (30%) were male. Seroprevalence of 0·8% (6/702), 1·3% (9/678), 1·5% (10/684), 3·5% (23/663) and 11·5% (77/668) for HIV-1/2, HBV, HCV,T. cruziandT. palliduminfections, respectively, was observed. The seroprevalence ofT. pallidumwas higher in males 20% (43/210) than in females 7% (34/458) (P < 0·01). An association between age and seroprevalence forT. cruzi(P = 0·02) andT. pallidum(P < 0·01) was observed. HBsAg was associated with having tattoos (3/37vs. 6/623,P = 0·01) and not having a steady sexual partner (5/141vs. 4/473,P = 0·04), while anti-HIV-1/2 was associated with having tattoos (2/39vs. 4/647,P = 0·04); however, larger studies are needed to categorically state the relationship of these risk factors with infectious agents. The prevalence of serological markers for HIV-1/2, HBV, HCV andT. cruziwas consistent with other studies.