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Objectives: To evaluate the epidemiological and molecular features of HBV infection among recyclable waste collectors., Methods: The participants were recruited from the dumping ground and recycling cooperatives in Campo Grande, Brazil, and were screened for hepatitis B and C, and HIV serological markers by ELISA, confirmed by PCR., Results: Among 278 participants, 63.7% (95% CI: 58.0-69.3) were considered susceptible to HBV infection. The prevalence rate of HBV exposure was 10.1% (95% CI: 6.5-13.6) and 0.4% (95% CI: 0.1-0.6) were chronic carriers. Age ≥45 years (AOR=7.15), history of homosexual contact (AOR=5.29), tattoo (AOR=4.92) and history of surgery (AOR=2.89) were factors associated with ever infection. Age 18-25 years (AOR=4.63), educational level ≥9 years (AOR=1.98) and knowledge about HBV transmission (AOR=3.08) were associated with serological HBV vaccination like profile (26.2%; 95% CI: 21.1-31.4)., Conclusions: Despite the availability and efficacy of HBV vaccine, this study found high HBV exposure and proportion of susceptible adults in a low endemic area. Vaccination and screening campaigns using accessible language to the economically disadvantaged populations can reduce the number of people susceptible to HBV infection., (Copyright © 2019 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the serological and molecular prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in 514 manicurists/pedicurists and identify the risk factors related with this infection. Samples were tested for HBV serological markers, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anti-HBc-positive samples were tested to investigate occult hepatitis B by PCR. HBsAg-positive samples were genotyped and the viral loads of HBV-DNA positive samples were quantified. The overall HBV prevalence was 5.6% (29/514) and of HBsAg was 0.4% (2/514). One case of occult hepatitis B was found. The genotypes A1 and F2 were identified in two HBsAg-positive samples. Low level of education, not being born in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul and working in the central region of the city were associated with the HBV infection. No single manicurist/pedicurist was infected by HCV or HIV. These findings suggest that despite the exposure to blood contact, this occupation was not associated to an increased risk of acquiring HBV, HCV, and HIV infections., (© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)