[Prevalence of hepatitis virus A, B, and C markers according to the geographic origin of medical students].
Antibodies against viral hepatitis A, B and C were evaluated in 221 students of graduate courses of the Medical School of Padua University born in countries different from Italy. Data were compared with those measured in 362 students born in Veneto Region and 87 students born in Centre-Southern Italy. The results showed a high, significant prevalence of positive antibodies against hepatitis A in students from Africa (94.7%), Asia (60.9%), Centre-Southern America (60.9%) and East Europe (52.7%); in Italy, the prevalence was significant in student from Centre-Southern Italy (19.5%). A high prevalence of hepatitis B antibodies was observed in 33.3% of Africa students (two subjects HBsAg positive), in 22.6% of students from East Europe (five subjects HBsAg positive) and in 12.5% of Asian and Centre-Southern American students (one HBeAg positive). Finally, infection with hepatitis C is sporadic and without a significant geographic distribution (three subjects only).
Beggio
M
M
Dipartimento di Medicina Ambientale e Sanità Pubblica, Università di Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova. michelabeggio@hotmail.com
Giraldo
M
M
Borella-Venturini
M
M
Mongillo
M
M
Zanetti
E
E
Bruno
A
A
Davanzo
E
E
Trevisan
A
A
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D030041:Hepatitis A virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013337:Students, Medical; D014171:Transients and Migrants
D015415:Biomarkers; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies