Hepatitis C infection in an Italian population not selected for risk factors.
OBJECTIVE
This study estimated the prevalence of HCV infection and relationship with viremia in a general population. The inhabitants of Albavilla town were personally invited to participate.


METHODS
Out of 3997 inhabitants falling within the age range 18-85 years, 2403 (participation rate 60.1%) were examined for transaminases, HCVAb, HCVRNA, genotype and immunoblot assay. The following information was collected: sex, age, blood transfusions, surgery, use of glass syringes, drug addiction, alcohol consumption, tattoos and body mass index.


RESULTS
115 (4.8%) were HCVAb+, the prevalence being 1.2% under 40 years. Transfusion in the past was the only risk factor for HCV infection. Among the HCVAb+ subjects, 71 (61.7%) were HCVRNA+. 40.8% of the HCVAb+/HCVRNA+ group had normal ALT, compared with 68% of those with HCVAb+/HCVRNA-. The HCV genotypes in the 71 HCVRNA+ subjects were: 2a/2c in 58 (81.7%), 40% of them with normal ALT;1b in 11 (15.5%), none with normal ALT; genotype 3 in two (2.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of HCVAb in this general population was 4.8%. About 3% were HCVRNA positive and of these genotype 2a/ 2c was present in 81.6%.
Maggi
G
G
Divisione Medica, FBF, Erba, Italy.
Armitano
S
S
Brambilla
L
L
Brenna
M
M
Cairo
M
M
Galvani
G
G
Gola
D
D
Komla-Ebri
K
K
Marmondi
E
E
Perricone
G
G
Posca
M
M
Vegezzi
P G
PG
Vergani
C
C
De Leo
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012307:Risk Factors; D014766:Viremia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase