From hepatic diseases and jaundice to viral hepatitis: the configuration of a kaleidoscope.

Viral hepatitis A, B, C, D and E--systemic hepatotropic viral infections--present as acute hepatitis that, depending on the etiological agent, viral load and host conditions, may evolve into chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer and acute fulminant disease. The ecological versatility of these viruses, their spectrum of transmission in time and space, potentialized by the sub-clinical course of a large proportion of infections, comprise an epidemiological challenge. This essay describes scenarios and tendencies in the socioepidemiologic profile, based on the history of these infections, and indicates the need to overcome patterns, models, and protocols and instead investigate each particular situation.

[Theses on hepatitis at the Faculdade de Medicina of the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 1837-2000].

An inventory of the theses on hepatitis of the Faculdade de Medicina of the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro between 1837 and 2000 is presented. The analysis indicates the potential and limits for discussion of the evolutionary framework of scientific knowledge on these health problems in Brazil. The theories are also discussed in light of their scientific reference points and the technological and social changes that influenced them.

[Health providers' knowledge on transfusion-transmitted viral hepatitis].

Objective: Training health providers is a strategy for improving health care quality that need to be technically correct and comply with the conceptual universe of the trainees. A pilot study was carried out to explore the consistency of knowledge on blood transmission of viral hepatitis among primary care providers.

Methods: A non-identified questionnaire was applied to 190 providers attending a public health training program in 2003 and 2004.

[Ethical issues about seroprevalence studies on viral hepatitis].

Background: Epidemiological studies on viral hepatitis (VH) using new technologies raise ethical issues especially concerning community-based studies on seroprevalence (CSS), sentinel surveillance-based studies (SBS) the use of blood-bank registers (BBR) and serum stocks (SS).

Methods: Positive (PA) and negative (NA) aspects of these different designs are discussed, pointing to alternatives, according to Resolution CNS n masculine 196/96.

Results: Priority for research is justified by VH magnitude, severity, and vulnerability, and need for development of diagnosis/therapy protocols and prevention/control strategies.

Information from teachers on viral hepatitis transmission and prevention in Brazil.

Objective: To assess school teachers' level of knowledge on prevention of viral hepatitis (VH).

Material And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three cities of Brazil, from August to November of 1999. The sample was composed of 360 subjects: 334 women and 26 men, 81 (22.

[Hepatitis A and B seroprevalence in Macaé, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil].

Total HAV and HBc seroprevalence rates in two socioeconomic groups in Macaé, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, were estimated in 1,100 surplus serum samples from routine laboratory tests identified by sex, age, neighborhood, and category of medical care, i.e., the public health system or National Unified Health System (SUS) as compared to private health services (NSUS).