Virus-specific dimeric IgA: a new biomarker for acute viral hepatitis infections?

(7.3%, 95%CI = 5.9–8.8%). Anti-HCV prevalence significantly increased with age, reaching 7.6% (95%CI = 4.9– 11.1%), in the 55–59 years age group. It was higher in rural compared to urban areas (1.4% versus 0.9%, respectively, p < 0.001) and significantly different regionally across the country with the highest prevalence in the Centre region (2.9%, 95%CI = 1.6–3.4%) and the lowest in the Far North region (0.4%, 95%CI = 0.2–0.9%). Finally, anti-HDV prevalence was significantly different by age group, with the highest prevalence found in the 50–54 age group (26.5%, 95%CI = 12.9–44.7%). It was comparable in rural and urban areas (14.7% versus 12.7%, respectively, p = 0.26) and significantly different regionally across the country with the highest prevalence in East (52.9%, 95%CI = 42.8–62.9) and South (49.5%, 95% CI = 39.2–59.8%) regions and the lowest in West region (0.9%, 95%CI = 0.02–4.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Cameroon may be considered an area of low-intermediate endemicity for HCV infection and of high endemicity for HBV and HDV infections. The prevalences are heterogeneous within the country, with indications of the different patterns of the epidemiology these infections in some administrative regions of the country. Cameroon should adopt full coverage national plans and guidelines to face the future consequences of viral hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B and D viruses.