Prevalence of Hepatitis Virus Infections in an Institution for Persons With Developmental Disabilities

In 1994-1995, we collected medical and serologic data on viral hepatitis infection on 1,235 residents of Sonoma Developmental Center. Residents were mostly White and had lived in the Center over 10 years. Only 3 residents (.3%) had hepatitis C virus infection, and 633 (60.2%) had past or current hepatitis B virus infection. The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection rose rapidly with longer residence in institutions. Past hepatitis A virus infection had occurred in 494 residents (42.1%). The rise in its prevalence with duration of residence was much less than that seen with hepatitis B virus infection. Although hepatitis C virus infection was relatively rare at the Center, many residents had past hepatitis A and hepatitis B virus infections.