title: Hepatitis C virus infection in an endemic area of Southern Italy 14 years later: evidence for a vanishing infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In a 1996 survey, prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV) in a southern Italian town was 12.6%.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify changes in the epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anti-HCV, HCV-RNA (PCR, detection limit 15 IU/mL), HCV genotype (Innolipa). Were performed in a random 1:4 systematic sample of the general population. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate factors independently associated with the likelihood of anti-HCV positivity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1012 subjects, 58 (5.7%) were anti-HCV-positive, compared to 12.6% 14 years earlier. Prevalence was 0.4% in individuals <30 years old and 31.8% in those ≥ 70 years old. Among 139 HCV-negative in 1996 re-sampled in 2010, only one had seroconverted (incidence: 0.05 × 100 persons/year). Alanine transaminase levels were elevated in 8 (13.8%). HCV-RNA was detected by PCR in 46.5% anti-HCV-positive subjects. In 2010 59% were genotype 2-infected, in 1996 50.7% genotype 1-infected. Previous use of non-disposable glass syringes was a strong independent predictor (OR 3.2; CI 95%=1.4-7.3).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epidemiology of HCV infection in an endemic area of south Italy has changed over 14 years, now largely confined to the oldest age group; this seems to be due to the disappearance of its past main mode of transmission, namely the use of glass syringes.
authors.affiliation: Chair of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Guadagnino
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stroffolini
authors.forename: Benedetto
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Caroleo
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Menniti Ippolito
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rapicetta
authors.forename: Anna Rita
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ciccaglione
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chionne
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Madonna
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Costantino
authors.forename: Giovambattista
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Sarro
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Focà
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lentini
authors.forename: Orietta
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Staltari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral