High prevalence of syphilis among recyclable waste collectors in Central Brazil.

Background: Syphilis is associated with social and behavioral factors.

Methods: This cross-sectional study determined the prevalence of syphilis and its associated risk factors among recyclable waste collectors in Central Brazil.

Results: A lifetime syphilis prevalence rate of 7.

High level of exposure to hepatitis B virus infection in a vulnerable population of a low endemic area: A challenge for vaccination coverage.

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.

Decrease in hepatitis B prevalence among blood donors in Central-West Brazil.

Background: The aim of the present study was to estimate hepatitis B virus seroprevalence among first-time blood donors in the city of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul State, in the central-western region of Brazil.

Findings: A retrospective analysis of first-time voluntary blood donor records, from January 2010 to December 2010, was conducted at the Hematology Center of Mato Grosso do Sul. The prevalence of the HBsAg and anti-HBc serological markers and their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated.