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In order to study the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and D (HDV) viruses in the Parakanã Indians and to evaluate the impact of hepatitis B vaccination beginning there in 1995, 258 serum samples were analyzed in the year 2004 for hepatitis B and D serological markers using immunoenzymatic techniques; the results showed a moderate endemic pattern, with a total prevalence of HBV infection of 55.7% and 5.4% of virus carriers in the Apyterewa village and 49.5% with 1.1% of HBV carriers in the Xingu village; 31.4% of anti-HBs+ as an isolated marker in both villages and no detection of positive serological tests for HDV among HBV carriers. The laboratory analysis thus showed the presence of chronic HBV carriers, absence of HDV carriers, and an emerging vaccine profile among susceptibles, confirming the effectiveness and need to maintain vaccination, especially in the first year of life, and the need to implement effective epidemiological surveillance for early detection of HDV infection among HBV carriers.

The objective of this investigation was to study the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and to identify possible risk factors for its transmission, in 406 adult patients with HIV/AIDS who attended at public health services, in Belém city, Pará, Brazil. The anti-HCV was performed by third generation immunoenzymatic technique, and the HCV RNA by polymerase chain reaction. The overall prevalence of hepatitis C virus was 16% (CI: 12.4 - 19.6). Multivariate analysis showed association between virus C infection and age, with significant risk in the group about fifty years old or more (OR=9.75), blood transfusion (OR=4.74) and use of injecting drugs (OR=149.28). The hepatitis C virus infection was detected in 83.7% of intravenous drug users and 22.1% of transfused patients. These data indicate the efficient transmission of the virus through the percutaneous exposition and reaffirm the high risk to hepatitis C among injectable illicit drug user.

The efficacies of specific Bothrops atrox-Lachesis and standard Bothrops-Lachesis antivenoms were compared in the north eastern Amazon region of Brazil. The main aim was to investigate whether a specific antivenom raised against the venom of B. atrox, the most important Amazon snake species from a medical point of view, was necessary for the treatment of patients in this region. Seventy-four patients with local and systemic effects of envenoming by Bothrops or Lachesis snakes were randomly allocated to receive either specific (n = 38) or standard (n = 36) antivenoms. In 46 cases (24 in the standard antivenom group, 22 in the other) the snake was identified either by enzyme immunoassay or by examination of the dead snake, as B. atrox in 45, L. muta in one. Patients were similar in all clinical and epidemiological respects before treatment. Results indicated that both antivenoms were equally effective in reversing all signs of envenoming detected both clinically and in the laboratory. Venom-induced haemostatic abnormalities were resolved within 24 h after the start of antivenom therapy in most patients. The extent of local complications, such as local skin necrosis and secondary infection, was similar in both groups. There were no deaths. The incidence of early anaphylactic reactions was 18% and 19%, respectively for specific and standard antivenoms; none was life-threatening. Measurement of serum venom concentrations by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) confirmed that both antivenoms cleared venom antigenaemia effectively. EIA also revealed that one patient had been bitten by Lachesis muta, although the clinical features in this case were not distinctive.