Stella Panagakou

Dr. Stella Panagakou


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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3 November 2021 in Livers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
NPNikolaos Papadopoulos
Nikolaos Papadopoulos
NGNikolaos Gkavogiannakis
Nikolaos Gkavogiannakis
SPStella Panagakou
Stella Panagakou
GPGerasimos Papadatos
Gerasimos Papadatos
EPEvangelos Panagoulis
Evangelos Panagoulis
VGVasilios German
Vasilios German
Background: The prevalence of hepatitis B varies (HBV) among countries. Although an overall reduction has been described in Greece, data are limited. Methods: We reviewed the HBsAg/anti-HBc/anti-HBs seroprevalence among military recruits and compared data between 2005 and 2019. The study included 2001 (group 1) and 1629 (group 2) male recruits in 2019 and 2005, respectively. Age and descent were recorded. Results: The prevalence of HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs positivity in group1 vs. group 2 was estimated as: 0.2%, 1.3% and 67% vs. 0.4%, 1.6% and 62%, respectively. Only anti-HBs positivity achieved a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.007). HBsAg and anti-HBc were more frequently positive in non-Greeks than in Greeks (9/237 (4%) vs. 2/3393 (0.06%), p < 0.001), (26/237 (11%) vs. 26/3393 (0.8%), p < 0.001 respectively), while anti-HBs was more frequently positive in Greeks than in non-Greeks (84/164 (51%) vs. 1461/2213 (66%), p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our data suggest a further reduction in HBV prevalence in Greece about 20 years after the adoption of the National HBV Immunization Program, with Greek participants experiencing a more effective HBV Immunization Program than non-Greeks.