Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection in an area of hyperendemicity in southern Italy: a population-based study.
In a cohort of subjects from Italy, anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HCV RNA [HCV(+) subgroup] prevalences were 24.6 and 79.6%, respectively. HCV types 1b and 2a/c accounted for 95% of infections. Adjusted alanine aminotransferase levels were higher in males than in females and in RNA-positive subjects than in RNA-negative subjects regardless of HCV type. Genotype distribution was unrelated to demographic variables.
Osella
A R
AR
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University and IRCCS "S. Matteo," 27100 Pavia, Italy. irccsbiblio@mail.media.it
Sonzogni
L
L
Cavallini
A
A
Foti
L
L
Guerra
V
V
Di Leo
A
A
Mondelli
M U
MU
Misciagna
G
G
Silini
E M
EM
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012042:Registries; D012703:Serotyping; D012737:Sex Factors
D012367:RNA, Viral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase