HBV and HCV infection among non-European Union immigrants in North-East Italy

• Published in: Epidemiology and infection Vol. 121; no. 1; pp. 179 - 183
• Main Authors: CHIARAMONTE, M., PUPO, A., MENEGON, T., BALDO, V., MALATESTA, R., TRIVELLO, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Cambridge University Press 01.08.1998
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antibodies; Biological and medical sciences; Carrier State - epidemiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Emigration and Immigration - statistics & numerical data; Epidemiology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis antigens; Hepatitis B - epidemiology; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis C - epidemiology; Humans; Immigrant populations; Infant; Infections; Italy - epidemiology; Male; Microbiology; Middle Aged; Predisposing factors; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Vaccination; Virology; Italy; Veneto; Europe; Human; Prevalence; Immigrant; Orthohepadnavirus; Hepatic disease; Epidemiology; Infection; Virus; Viral hepatitis B; Hepadnaviridae; Viral disease; Digestive diseases; Hepatitis B virus; Flaviviridae; Hepatitis C virus; Hepacivirus; Viral hepatitis C
• ISSN: 0950-2688; 1469-4409
• DOI: 10.1017/S0950268898001034

The status of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among non-European Union (non-EU) immigrants in North-East Italy was evaluated. Among the 1683 individuals tested the prevalence of HBsAg was 8·9% (150 subjects) and of HBV antibodies (anti-HBc with/without anti-HBs) was 38·9% (654 subjects). The distribution of HBV serological markers showed significant differences according to region of origin; the highest prevalence of infection (76·9%) and carriage (16·1%) was found in immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa. Among the 933 individuals screened for HCV infection, prevalence of antibody was much lower (0·9%) than that observed in the Italian general population (3·2–12·6%). The large number of HBV carriers among immigrants could increase the number of new adult infections due to life-style habits or professional risks in the host population. In contrast, the risk of HCV spread from non-EU immigrants is very low.