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HBV, HCV and HDV infections in Albanian refugees in Southern Italy (Apulia region)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 November 2000

M. CHIRONNA ,
C. GERMINARIO ,
P. L. LOPALCO ,
M. QUARTO  and
S. BARBUTI
M. CHIRONNA
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health - Hygiene Section, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 4 - Policlinico, 70124 Bari, Italy
C. GERMINARIO
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health - Hygiene Section, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 4 - Policlinico, 70124 Bari, Italy
P. L. LOPALCO
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health - Hygiene Section, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 4 - Policlinico, 70124 Bari, Italy
M. QUARTO
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health - Hygiene Section, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 4 - Policlinico, 70124 Bari, Italy
S. BARBUTI
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health - Hygiene Section, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 4 - Policlinico, 70124 Bari, Italy
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Abstract

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The seroprevalence of hepatitis B, C and D markers was assessed in a sample of 670 Albanian refugees in Southern Italy in 1997. The mean age was 25 years (S.D. = 12·3). Of study subjects 62·1% (95% CI: 58·4–65·7) were positive for anti-HBc antibodies and 13·6% (95% CI: 10·9–16·1) for HBsAg. The prevalence of anti-HBs was 47·6% (95% CI: 43·8–51·3). Among HBsAg carriers the prevalence of HBeAg was 7·7% (95% CI: 2·2–13·1). The highest carrier rate for HBsAg (25·5%; 95% CI: 16·7–34·3) was found in the age group 21–25 years. A relevant finding was a prevalence of HBsAg of 8·1% in children 10 years and under. The prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies was 0·3% (95% CI: 0·0–0·7) while only one of the HBsAg carriers was positive for anti-HDV (1·1%, 95% CI: 0–3·2). In Albania, hepatitis B infection represents a public health priority that should be addressed by a universal vaccination campaign.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 125 , Issue 1 , August 2000 , pp. 163 - 167
Copyright
© 2000 Cambridge University Press