Caterina Sagnelli1,2,3,4, Massimo Ciccozzi5, Loredana Alessio2,3, Eleonora Cella5, Luciano Gualdieri6, Mariantonietta Pisaturo2,3,7, Carmine Minichini1, Giovanni Di Caprio2,3, Mario Starace1, Lorenzo Onorato2,3, Mara Capoprese2,3, Laura Occhiello2,3, Silvia Angeletti5, Gaetano Scotto8, Margherita Macera1,2,3, Evangelista Sagnelli9, Nicola Coppola1. 1. Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via L. Armanni 5, 80131, Naples, Italy. 2. Medical Center, Centro Sociale ex Canapificio, Caserta, Italy. 3. Medical Center, Centro di Accoglienza "La tenda di Abramo", Caserta, Italy. 4. Medical Center, Centro Suore Missionarie della Carità, Naples, Italy. 5. Unit of Clinical Laboratory Science, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy. 6. Medical Center, Centro per la Tutela della Salute degli Immigrati, Naples, Italy. 7. Infectious Diseases Unit, AORN Sant'Anna e San Sebastiano, Caserta, Italy. 8. Infectious Diseases Unit, Foggia, Italy. 9. Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via L. Armanni 5, 80131, Naples, Italy. evangelista.sagnelli@unicampania.it.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: We investigated 170 HBsAg-positive immigrants living in Italy for 1-7 years to ascertain whether they may have become infected in the host country. METHODS: Of 2032 adult immigrants interviewed, 1727 (85%) voluntarily adhered to a screening program for bloodborne or sexually transmitted infections. HBsAg was detected in 170 (9.8%) screened immigrants who completed the diagnostic, clinical and therapeutic process at the nearest clinic of infectious diseases. HBV molecular biology was performed applying a homemade technology. Phylogenetic signal of the datasets was obtained by a likelihood-mapping analysis using TreePuzzle. RESULTS: Of the 170 HBsAg-positive immigrants, 133 were inactive carriers, 29 had chronic hepatitis and 8 compensated cirrhosis. HBV genotype was identified in 109 of the 113 HBV-DNA-positive immigrants and HBV-genotype-E predominated (68.9%). Of these 109, 6 (5.5%) subjects showed an HBV genotype absent or extremely rare in their native country: HBV-genotype-E in three from Eastern Europe and in one from Sri Lanka, possibly acquired from other immigrants from sub-Saharan countries, HBV-genotype-D1 in one from Burkina Faso and one from Senegal, possibly acquired in Italy. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that immigrants may acquire HBV infection in Italy and, therefore, HBV vaccination programs should be extended to all immigrants living in Italy.
INTRODUCTION: We investigated 170 HBsAg-positive immigrants living in Italy for 1-7 years to ascertain whether they may have become infected in the host country. METHODS: Of 2032 adult immigrants interviewed, 1727 (85%) voluntarily adhered to a screening program for bloodborne or sexually transmitted infections. HBsAg was detected in 170 (9.8%) screened immigrants who completed the diagnostic, clinical and therapeutic process at the nearest clinic of infectious diseases. HBV molecular biology was performed applying a homemade technology. Phylogenetic signal of the datasets was obtained by a likelihood-mapping analysis using TreePuzzle. RESULTS: Of the 170 HBsAg-positive immigrants, 133 were inactive carriers, 29 had chronic hepatitis and 8 compensated cirrhosis. HBV genotype was identified in 109 of the 113 HBV-DNA-positive immigrants and HBV-genotype-E predominated (68.9%). Of these 109, 6 (5.5%) subjects showed an HBV genotype absent or extremely rare in their native country: HBV-genotype-E in three from Eastern Europe and in one from Sri Lanka, possibly acquired from other immigrants from sub-Saharan countries, HBV-genotype-D1 in one from Burkina Faso and one from Senegal, possibly acquired in Italy. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that immigrants may acquire HBV infection in Italy and, therefore, HBV vaccination programs should be extended to all immigrants living in Italy.
Authors: Helene Norder; Anne-Marie Couroucé; Pierre Coursaget; José M Echevarria; Shou-Dong Lee; Isa K Mushahwar; Betty H Robertson; Stephen Locarnini; Lars O Magnius Journal: Intervirology Date: 2004 Impact factor: 1.763
Authors: Joseph C Forbi; Gilberto Vaughan; Michael A Purdy; David S Campo; Guo-liang Xia; Lilia M Ganova-Raeva; Sumathi Ramachandran; Hong Thai; Yury E Khudyakov Journal: PLoS One Date: 2010-07-19 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: E Sagnelli; G Starnini; C Sagnelli; R Monarca; G Zumbo; E Pontali; A Gabbuti; S Carbonara; R Iardino; O Armignacco; S Babudieri Journal: Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci Date: 2012-12 Impact factor: 3.507