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

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of serological markers for HIV-1/2, HBV, HCV, Treponema cruzi and T. pallidum infections. 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. cruzi and T. pallidum infections, respectively, was observed. The seroprevalence of T. pallidum was higher in males 20% (43/210) than in females 7% (34/458) (P<0.01). An association between age and seroprevalence for T. cruzi (P=0.02) and T. pallidum (P<0.01) was observed. HBsAg was associated with having tattoos (3/37 vs. 6/623, P=0.01) and not having a steady sexual partner (5/141 vs. 4/473, P=0.04), while anti-HIV-1/2 was associated with having tattoos (2/39 vs. 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 and T. cruzi was consistent with other studies.