Viral Hepatitis Abroad

Abstract

Hepatitis incidence was studied retrospectively in a group of 1,314 Catholic missionaries living in various developing countries. Overall incidence of icteric illnesses was 1.7 cases per 100 person-years exposure. There were large differences in hepatitis incidence in the various countries, with rates varying from a low of 0.2 cases per 100 person-years in Japan to a high of 4.0 cases per 100 person-years in some countries of Central and South America. Risk was sustained at fairly high levels for at least ten years. It is suggested that the high risk warrants prophylaxis with immune serum globulin.