Tommaso Stroffolini1, Maria Rapicetta2, Paola Chionne3, Rozenn Esvan1, Elisabetta Madonna3, Flavia Lombardo4, Fabrizio Toccaceli1, Giulio Pisani5, Annarita Ciccaglione3, Flavia Bortolotti6. 1. Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy. 2. Viral Hepatitis Unit, Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: maria.rapicetta@gmail.com. 3. Viral Hepatitis Unit, Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy. 4. National Center for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy. 5. Center for Immunobiological Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy. 6. Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Padua, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Autochthonous (locally acquired) cases of acute hepatitis E virus have been recently reported in several developed countries. AIM: To evidence cases, if any, and characteristics of acute hepatitis E virus infections in North-East of Italy several years ago. METHODS: In 2014, stored sera of 165 nonA-nonB acute hepatitis referred to the hospital of Padua during the period 1978-1991 were tested for hepatitis C virus antibodies by EIA III and for anti-hepatitis E virus IgM by Wantai HEV IgM ELISA. Anti-hepatitis E virus IgM positive sera were tested by Real Star HEV RT-PCR kit (Altona Diagnostics, Hamburg, Germany). RESULTS: Ninety-six (58.1%) sera resulted anti-HCV positive, and thus classified as acute C hepatitis. None of these subjects was anti-HEV IgM positive. Out of the 69 anti-HCV negative cases, 4 (5.8%) resulted anti-HEV IgM positive (one case hepatitis E virus-RNA positive), with an increasing trend from 2.8% during the years 1978-1984 to 9.1% during the years 1985-1991. All cases occurred in Italian patients with no travel abroad history. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence for the presence of autochthonous cases of acute hepatitis E virus infections in Italy since 80s.
BACKGROUND: Autochthonous (locally acquired) cases of acute hepatitis E virus have been recently reported in several developed countries. AIM: To evidence cases, if any, and characteristics of acute hepatitis E virus infections in North-East of Italy several years ago. METHODS: In 2014, stored sera of 165 nonA-nonB acute hepatitis referred to the hospital of Padua during the period 1978-1991 were tested for hepatitis C virus antibodies by EIA III and for anti-hepatitis E virus IgM by Wantai HEV IgM ELISA. Anti-hepatitis E virus IgM positive sera were tested by Real Star HEV RT-PCR kit (Altona Diagnostics, Hamburg, Germany). RESULTS: Ninety-six (58.1%) sera resulted anti-HCV positive, and thus classified as acute C hepatitis. None of these subjects was anti-HEV IgM positive. Out of the 69 anti-HCV negative cases, 4 (5.8%) resulted anti-HEV IgM positive (one case hepatitis E virus-RNA positive), with an increasing trend from 2.8% during the years 1978-1984 to 9.1% during the years 1985-1991. All cases occurred in Italian patients with no travel abroad history. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence for the presence of autochthonous cases of acute hepatitis E virus infections in Italy since 80s.
Authors: L Mughini-Gras; G Angeloni; C Salata; N Vonesch; W D'Amico; G Campagna; A Natale; F Zuliani; L Ceglie; I Monne; M Vascellari; K Capello; G DI Martino; N Inglese; G Palù; P Tomao; L Bonfanti Journal: Epidemiol Infect Date: 2017-11-17 Impact factor: 4.434
Authors: Arianne B van Gageldonk-Lafeber; Wim van der Hoek; Floor Borlée; Dick J J Heederik; Sofie H Mooi; Catharina B M Maassen; C Joris Yzermans; Barry Rockx; Lidwien A M Smit; Johan H J Reimerink Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2017-01-05 Impact factor: 3.090
Authors: Valeria Alfonsi; Luisa Romanò; Anna Rita Ciccaglione; Giuseppina La Rosa; Roberto Bruni; Alessandro Zanetti; Simonetta Della Libera; Marcello Iaconelli; Patrizia Bagnarelli; Maria Rosaria Capobianchi; Anna Rosa Garbuglia; Flavia Riccardo; Maria Elena Tosti Journal: Euro Surveill Date: 2018-10