Prevalence of Hepatitis B Serum Markers in Young Military Recruits in Greece: A Comparison Study between 2005 and 2019 Cohorts
Nikolaos Papadopoulos,
Nikolaos Gkavogiannakis,
Stella Panagakou,
Gerasimos Papadatos,
Evangelos Panagoulis,
Melanie Deutsch,
Konstantinos Liaskonis,
Vasilios German
Affiliations
Nikolaos Papadopoulos
1st Department of Internal Medicine, 417 Army Share Fund Hospital of Athens, 11521 Athens, Greece
Nikolaos Gkavogiannakis
Medical Services, Supply and Transportation Corps Training Centre, 23100 Sparta, Greece
Stella Panagakou
Medical Services, Supply and Transportation Corps Training Centre, 23100 Sparta, Greece
Gerasimos Papadatos
Medical Services, Supply and Transportation Corps Training Centre, 23100 Sparta, Greece
Evangelos Panagoulis
Medical Services, Supply and Transportation Corps Training Centre, 23100 Sparta, Greece
Melanie Deutsch
2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Medical School of National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Konstantinos Liaskonis
Department of Microbiology, 401 General Army Hospital of Athens, 11525 Athens, Greece
Vasilios German
2nd Department of Internal Medicine, 401 General Army Hospital of Athens, 11525 Athens, Greece
Background: The prevalence of hepatitis B varies (HBV) among countries. Although an overall reduction has been described in Greece, data are limited. Methods: We reviewed the HBsAg/anti-HBc/anti-HBs seroprevalence among military recruits and compared data between 2005 and 2019. The study included 2001 (group 1) and 1629 (group 2) male recruits in 2019 and 2005, respectively. Age and descent were recorded. Results: The prevalence of HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs positivity in group1 vs. group 2 was estimated as: 0.2%, 1.3% and 67% vs. 0.4%, 1.6% and 62%, respectively. Only anti-HBs positivity achieved a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.007). HBsAg and anti-HBc were more frequently positive in non-Greeks than in Greeks (9/237 (4%) vs. 2/3393 (0.06%), p p p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our data suggest a further reduction in HBV prevalence in Greece about 20 years after the adoption of the National HBV Immunization Program, with Greek participants experiencing a more effective HBV Immunization Program than non-Greeks.
