Hepatitis C virus infection in an endemic area of Southern Italy 14 years later: Evidence for a vanishing infection

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• 作者：Vincenzo Guadagnino^a ; Tommaso Stroffolini^b ; ^{t.stroffolini@policlinicoumberto1.it} ; Benedetto Caroleo^a ; Francesca Menniti Ippolito^c ; Maria Rapicetta^d ; Anna Rita Ciccaglione^d ; Paola Chionne^d ; Elisabetta Madonna^d ; Angela Costantino^d ; Giovambattista De Sarro^e ; Alfredo Focà ; ^f ; Margherita Lentini^g ; Orietta Staltari^a ; &ldquo ; Sersale's Study&rdquo ; Group
• 关键词：Epidemiology ; HCV ; Italy
• 刊名：Digestive and Liver Disease
• 出版年：2013
• 出版时间：May, 2013
• 年：2013
• 卷：45
• 期：5
• 页码：403-407
• 全文大小：261 K

文摘

Background

In a 1996 survey, prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV) in a southern Italian town was 12.6 % .

Aims

To identify changes in the epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Methods

Anti-HCV, HCV-RNA (PCR, detection limit 15 IU/mL), HCV genotype (Innolipa). Were performed in a random 1:4 systematic sample of the general population. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate factors independently associated with the likelihood of anti-HCV positivity.

Results

Of 1012 subjects, 58 (5.7 % ) were anti-HCV-positive, compared to 12.6 % 14 years earlier. Prevalence was 0.4 % in individuals <30 years old and 31.8 % in those ¡Ý70 years old. Among 139 HCV-negative in 1996 re-sampled in 2010, only one had seroconverted (incidence: 0.05 ¡Á 100 persons/year). Alanine transaminase levels were elevated in 8 (13.8 % ). HCV-RNA was detected by PCR in 46.5 % anti-HCV-positive subjects. In 2010 59 % were genotype 2-infected, in 1996 50.7 % genotype 1-infected. Previous use of non-disposable glass syringes was a strong independent predictor (OR 3.2; CI 95 %  = 1.4-7.3).

Conclusion

Epidemiology of HCV infection in an endemic area of south Italy has changed over 14 years, now largely confined to the oldest age group; this seems to be due to the disappearance of its past main mode of transmission, namely the use of glass syringes.