title: Hepatitis C infection in an Italian population not selected for risk factors.
abstract: 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%.
authors.affiliation: Divisione Medica, FBF, Erba, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maggi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Armitano
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brambilla
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brenna
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cairo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galvani
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gola
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Komla-Ebri
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marmondi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perricone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Posca
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Vegezzi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vergani
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Leo
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase