Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39847252›Full record

ArticleIrish journal of medical science2025

Community prevalence of blood-borne viruses (hepatitis B and HIV) in Ireland.

P Aiden McCormick, Marie O'Grady, Paul Holder, Cillian F De Gascun, John S Lambert, Orla Crosbie, Susan McKiernan, Maeve Skelly, Garry Courtney, Brian Hennessy and 9 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Irish journal of medical science, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

19 authors.

P Aiden McCormickNational Hepatitis C Treatment Program HSE, Liver Unit, St Vincent's University Hospital and UCD, Elm Park, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, DO4 T6F4, Ireland. a.mccormick@ucd.ie.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5994-6023
Marie O'GradyNational Hepatitis C Treatment Program, HSE, Dublin, Ireland.
Paul HolderNational Virus Reference Laboratory, UCD, Dublin, Ireland.
Cillian F De GascunNational Virus Reference Laboratory, UCD, Dublin, Ireland.
John S LambertMater and Rotunda Hospitals and UCD, Dublin, Ireland.
Orla CrosbieCork University Hospital and UCC, Cork, Ireland.
Susan McKiernanSt James's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Maeve SkellyUniversity Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
Garry CourtneySt Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, Ireland.
Brian HennessyUniversity Hospital Waterford, Waterford, Ireland.
Kevin WalshSligo University Hospital, Sligo, Ireland.
Roisin TwohigNational Virus Reference Laboratory, UCD, Dublin, Ireland.
Kate BrowneNational Virus Reference Laboratory, UCD, Dublin, Ireland.
Tessa O'GormanMater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Vivion CrowleySt James's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Seán J CostelloeCork University Hospital and UCC, Cork, Ireland.
Roz O'ByrneUniversity Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
Orla GildeaUniversity Hospital Waterford, Waterford, Ireland.
Noreen MontgomerySligo University Hospital, Sligo, Ireland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundChronic infection with hepatitis B virus and HIV causes significant morbidity and mortality. Effective antiviral treatment is available for both. Ireland has historically been considered a low prevalence country. However, with increasing inward migration and diversity, this may be changing.

aimsThe aim of this study was to measure the community prevalence of hepatitis B virus and HIV infections in Irish residents born between the years 1965 and 1985.

methodsAnonymised residual serum samples from blood tests ordered by community general practitioners and tested in eight general hospital laboratories, spread across Ireland, were analysed for the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen and antibodies to HIV.

resultsA total of 6080 samples were analysed for hepatitis B surface antigen including 2993 males, 2807 females and 280 samples for which gender was not recorded. HBsAg was detected in 28/6067 samples giving an estimated prevalence of 0.46% (95% CI 0.32-0.67%). Antibodies to HIV were identified in 18/6064 giving an estimated prevalence of 0.33% (95% CI 0.19-0.47%). The prevalence of both hepatitis B and HIV was significantly higher in Cork (Southwest Ireland) than other centres: hepatitis B (12/1050 vs 16/5017, p = 0.014) and HIV (11/1049 vs 7/5015, p < 0.001).

conclusionsThe prevalence of hepatitis B virus and HIV infections in this cohort appear to be higher than previously estimated. In addition, their prevalence in the Cork area appears particularly high. Whether this represents a true prevalence or a chance finding will require confirmatory studies.

Indexed as

Hepatitis BHIV InfectionsAdultFemaleHepatitis B Surface AntigensHumansIrelandMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceHepatitis B Surface AntigensCirrhosisHepatitis BHuman immunodeficiency virusMigration

Identifiers

PMID39847252
PMCPMC12031828

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