[Clinical, virological and epidemiological aspects of acute B hepatitis in the Catania area (Italy)].
Starting from January 1997 we prospectively evaluated all cases of acute hepatitis B admitted to two of the main Infectious Diseases Units in Catania (eastern Sicily). The survey was extended throughout a 10-year period up to December 2007. Between 1997 and 1999 we observed 21 cases of acute hepatitis B; between 2000 and 2002 18 cases; between 2003 and 2005 22 cases and, finally, 37 cases were reported in the period 2006-2007. We found an increase in acute hepatitis B cases among people aged 26 to 44 years (from 38% in 1997-99 to 70% in 2006-07). A progressive decrease in intravenous drug abuse as a risk factor for acute hepatitis B was also observed (from 61% to 14%) together with a parallel increase in cases due to sexual transmission (from 19% to 56%) and outpatient cosmetic surgical procedures. Mean time to serum HBsAg negativization was longer in the last period (2006-07), with 6 cases out of 37 showing HBsAg persistence beyond 12 months from the clinical onset. Furthermore, in 2006-07 there were 12 cases (42%) of acute hepatitis due to HBV genotypes A and F. In our area, a progressive drop of hepatitis B cases due to intravenous drug abuse occurred, whereas heterosexual and iatrogenic cases increased. Cases due to HBV non-D genotypes may well be related to migration from endemic areas towards Sicily.
Policlinico Universitario "Gaspare Rodolico", Catania, Italy.
Guido
G
Scalia
Raffaela
R
Russo
Ilenia
I
Palermo
Maria
M
Gussio
Francesco
F
Bellissimo
Filippo
F
Fatuzzo
Arturo
A
Montineri
Ildebrando
I
Patamia
Maria
M
Costanzo
Daniela
D
Zappala
Rosario
R
Russo
Bruno
B
Cacopardo
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D046288:Body Piercing / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology; D014195:Travel; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D055815:Young Adult
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens