The changing epidemiology of hepatitis A in Italy.
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.
Stroffolini
T
T
Laboratorio di Epidemiologia, Istituto Superiore Sanità, Roma, Italy.
D'Amelio
R
R
Matricardi
P M
PM
Chionne
P
P
Napoli
A
A
Rapicetta
M
M
Crateri
S
S
Pasquini
P
P
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
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies