title: Epidemiological and clinical features of HEV infection: a survey in the district of Foggia (Apulia, Southern Italy).
abstract: In this study we assessed the seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in both the Italian population and immigrants from developing countries in Foggia (Apulia, Southern Italy). The seroprevalence of HEV was determined in 1217 subjects [412 (34%) immigrants and 805 Italian subjects (blood donors, general population, HIV-positive, haemodialysis patients)]. Serum samples were tested for anti-HEV and confirmed by Western blot assay; in positive patients HEV RNA and genotype were also determined. There were 8·8% of patients that were positive to anti-HEV, confirmed by Western blot. The prevalence in immigrants was 19·7%, and in Italians 3·9% (blood donors 1·3%, general population 2·7%, HIV-positive patients 2·0%, haemodialysis patients 9·6%). Anti-HEV IgM was found in 38/107 (35·5%) of the anti-HEV-positive serum samples (34 immigrants, four Italians). This study indicates a higher circulation of HEV in immigrants and Italian haemodialysis patients, whereas a low prevalence of HEV antibodies was seen in the remaining Italian population.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scotto
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.affiliation: Service of Immuno-haematology, Hospital of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Centra
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Hospital of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Querques
authors.affiliation: Service of Immuno-haematology, Hospital of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vittorio
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Hospital of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delli Carri
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tartaglia
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Campanale
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bulla
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prato
authors.affiliation: Clinical Chemistry Laboratory, Unit of Virology, Hospital of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fazio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015153:Blotting, Western; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016752:Hepatitis E virus; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies