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Hepatitis type E in Italy: A seroepidemiological survey
Author(s) -
Zanetti A. R.,
Dawson G. J.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.1890420321
Subject(s) - seroprevalence , medicine , virology , antibody , hepatitis e virus , hepatitis a , acute hepatitis , hepatitis , viral disease , serology , viral hepatitis , immunology , intravenous drug , virus , biology , biochemistry , genotype , gene
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. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.