Hepatitis A in Sfax,Tunisia, from 2000 to 2017: A prominent epidemiological shift among blood donors population

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Published Oct 11, 2026
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v104i09.6756
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Vol. 104 No. 09 (2026): Tunis Med Sept 2026

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Saba Gargouri
Laboratory of Microbiology, Research Laboratory for Microorganisms and Human Disease LR03SP03, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Sfax, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
Nour Louati
Regional Blood Transfusion Center of Sfax, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9649-6148
Ikram Dammak
Laboratory of Hematology, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
Amel Chtourou
Laboratory of Microbiology, Research Laboratory for Microorganisms and Human Disease LR03SP03, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Sfax, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
Khouloud Boujelben
Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
Houcine bouchaala
Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
Awatef Taktak
Laboratory of Microbiology, Research Laboratory for Microorganisms and Human Disease LR03SP03, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Sfax, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
Habib Fki
Preventive Medicine and Hygiene Department, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
Hela Mnif
Regional Blood Transfusion Center of Sfax, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
Ikram Ben Amor
Regional Blood Transfusion Center of Sfax, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
Lamia Feki-Berrajah
Laboratory of Microbiology, Research Laboratory for Microorganisms and Human Disease LR03SP03, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Sfax, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
Taicir Rekik
Regional Blood Transfusion Center of Sfax, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
Héla Karray-Hakim
Laboratory of Microbiology, Research Laboratory for Microorganisms and Human Disease LR03SP03, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Sfax, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia

Abstract

Objective: To assess the evolution of the epidemiological pattern of HAV infection in Sfax through the determination of HAV seroprevalence in 2017 and the comparative analysis with data of 2000 and 2007.
Methods: A total of 378 blood donors sampled in 2017 were included. In line with the previous adopted methodology, blood donors belonged to three age groups: 18-20, 21-25 and 26-30 years and are originating from Sfax governorate (urban and rural areas) and different governorates
of South Tunisia. Total anti-HAV antibodies were assessed in serum samples. Comparative analysis between 2000, 2007 and 2017 was performed using SPSS version 20.0 Software.
Results: The overall HAV seroprevalence in 2017 was 65.1% with a significant increase with older age (50.8%, 65.9% and 78.6% in the 18-20, 21-25 and 26-30 years age groups, respectively). HAV seroprevalence was significantly lower in urban areas of Sfax than in rural settings and South Tunisia
(31%, 80.2% and 84.1%, respectively). In the age group 18-20 years, seroprevalence was 14.3%, 64.3% and 73.8% in Sfax’s urban areas, Sfax’s rural areas and South Tunisia, respectively. In Sfax’s urban areas, only 45.2% of blood donors in the age group 26-30 years had anti-HAV immunity. A significant decrease....( abstract truncated at 250 words).

Keywords:

Hepatitis A virus, Blood donors, Epidemiological shift, Tunisia

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