Hepatitis type E in Italy: a seroepidemiological survey. Study Group of Hepatitis E

J Med Virol. 1994 Mar;42(3):318-20. doi: 10.1002/jmv.1890420321.

Abstract

The seroprevalence of antibodies to HEV was determined in three different Italian populations (volunteer blood donors, normal healthy individuals, and intravenous drug users [IVDUs]). The seroprevalence in the populations ranged from 0.74% to 1.94%, with higher rates among IVDUs and individuals over 40 years of age. None of 35 patients diagnosed with acute hepatitis A but 10 of 153 (6.5%) patients with acute nonA, nonB, nonC hepatitis were found to be positive for anti-HEV antibody. One of these antibody positive cases was linked to travel, while the remaining 9 were not associated with travel to endemic areas. These data suggest a possible low circulation of HEV in Italy.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Blood Donors
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Hepatitis A / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis Antibodies / blood*
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis E / blood
  • Hepatitis E / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis E / immunology
  • Hepatitis E virus / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / epidemiology

Substances

  • Hepatitis Antibodies