title: Analysis of the shift of the transmission pattern for hepatitis C in a community in Central Italy.
abstract: 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).
authors.affiliation: University La Sapienza, Department of Public Health Sciences G. Sanarelli, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Petti
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Divizia
authors.forename: Domenica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Donia
authors.forename: Adele Simonetti
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: D' Arca
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tarsitani
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fabi
authors.forename: Augusto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Panà
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral