title: The changing epidemiology of hepatitis A in Italy.
abstract: In 1990, the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A virus infection (anti-HAV) was assayed by the ELISA method on a national sample of 1000 recruits aged 18-24 years. The overall prevalence was 29.4% (22.4% in the northern and central regions, 32.2% in the south and islands; p < 0.01). Compared with a similar study conducted in 1981, the results show a marked reduction in anti-HAV prevalence (from 66.3% to 29.4%; p < 0.01). These findings reflect the improved sanitation standards in Italy and indicate that the proportion of non-immune adults is increasing, with a higher risk of symptomatic infection in the near future.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio di Epidemiologia, Istituto Superiore Sanità, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stroffolini
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: D'Amelio
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Matricardi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chionne
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Napoli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rapicetta
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crateri
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pasquini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006507:Hepatovirus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies