Prevalence of hepatitis A among drug users in north-eastern Italy. Is vaccination necessary in low prevalence areas?
BACKGROUND
The authors report on the prevalence of, and risk factors for, hepatitis A virus (HAV) in a group of drug users in Italy.


METHODS
404 heroin users were recruited and compared with a control group of 107 subjects in the general population.


RESULTS
Drug users born in north-eastern Italy have a prevalence of anti-HAV similar to the control group. A much higher prevalence was found in drug users born in southern Italy.


CONCLUSIONS
The similar prevalence of anti-HAV in drug users born in north-eastern Italy and in the general population, suggests that their lifestyle does not involve a substantial additional risk of HAV. The much higher prevalence found in drug users born in southern Italy is more likely to be related to infection during infancy.
Lugoboni
Fabio
F
Medical Service for Addictive Disorders, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Verona, Italy. paolo.mezzelani@univr.it
Quaglio
Gianluca
G
Pajusco
Benedetta
B
Foroni
Maurizio
M
Blengio
Gianstefano
G
Talamini
Giorgio
G
Mezzelani
Paolo
P
Des Jarlais
Don C
DC
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D006556:Heroin Dependence; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014611:Vaccination