Analysis of the shift of the transmission pattern for hepatitis C in a community in Central Italy.
Anti-HCV and HCV-RNA prevalence among adults from an isolated Central Italian community were 16.3% and 9.0%; 3.0%, 2.3% among 25-to-49-year-olds, 27.6%, 14.7% among older subjects. 1b genotype prevailed (88.5%). 1a, la/1b, 4 were also isolated. Seropositivity was associated with age > 50 years, public dental health care, glass syringe use, surgical interventions. The transmission pattern seems to be shifting from that typical of Southern Italy (high prevalence, particularly in the elderly, 1b genotype predominant, various routes of transmission involved, cohort effect), to that typical of Europe (lower prevalence, particularly among younger adults, other genotypes involved, association with intravenous drug use and immigrants).
Petti
Stefano
S
University La Sapienza, Department of Public Health Sciences G. Sanarelli, Rome, Italy.
Divizia
Maurizio
M
Donia
Domenica
D
D' Arca
Adele Simonetti
AS
Tarsitani
Gianfranco
G
Fabi
Giuliano
G
Panà
Augusto
A
D000328:Adult; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral