Epidemiological and Clinical Features of Hepatitis B Virus Genotypes among Immigrants in Southern Italy

Joint Authors

Martinelli, Domenico
Di Tullio, Rocco
Scotto, Gaetano
Fazio, Vincenzina

Source

Hepatitis Research and Treatment

Issue

Vol. 2010, Issue 2010 (31 Dec. 2010), pp.1-6, 6 p.

Publisher

Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Publication Date

2010-04-22

Country of Publication

Egypt

No. of Pages

6

Main Subjects

Diseases

Abstract EN

Background/aims.

This study aims to determine the distribution and clinical features of HBV-genotypes in a population of immigrants affected by HBV-infection.

Methods.

Between 01/2003 and 03/2009, 1623 immigrants were tested for HBV-infection.

Biochemical and virological activities were determined in HBsAg-positive patients; HBV-genotypes were determined, by the INNO-LiPA HBV Genotyping, in the subjects with HBV DNA detectable.

In every patient we evaluated the stage and classified the infection as inactive carrier, mild or moderate/severe chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and/or HCC.

Results.

Among the tested subjects, 191 (11.7%) resulted HBsAg-positive, and in 144/191 (75.4%) serum HBV-DNA was detectable.

The genotype distribution was as follows: 45,13% genotype E, 18,1% genotype D, 15,3% genotype B, 13,2% genotype C, 4,9% genotype A, 3,5% mixed genotypes (A–D).

The evaluation of liver disease degree showed that 24.6% patients were inactive carriers of HBV infection, 19.4% presented a immunotolerance phase, 34.5% had mild chronic hepatitis, 13.6% had a moderate/severe chronic hepatitis, 6.3% had cirrhosis, and 1.6% presented HCC.

Conclusions.

Our study evidences a high prevalence of HBV-infection in immigrants, and the potentiality of migratory flow in the introduction of genotype non-D hepatitis B virus.

The Hepatitis B virus genotypes presented significant differences in epidemiological and clinical characteristics.

American Psychological Association (APA)

Scotto, Gaetano& Martinelli, Domenico& Di Tullio, Rocco& Fazio, Vincenzina. 2010. Epidemiological and Clinical Features of Hepatitis B Virus Genotypes among Immigrants in Southern Italy. Hepatitis Research and Treatment،Vol. 2010, no. 2010, pp.1-6.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-505568

Modern Language Association (MLA)

Scotto, Gaetano…[et al.]. Epidemiological and Clinical Features of Hepatitis B Virus Genotypes among Immigrants in Southern Italy. Hepatitis Research and Treatment No. 2010 (2010), pp.1-6.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-505568

American Medical Association (AMA)

Scotto, Gaetano& Martinelli, Domenico& Di Tullio, Rocco& Fazio, Vincenzina. Epidemiological and Clinical Features of Hepatitis B Virus Genotypes among Immigrants in Southern Italy. Hepatitis Research and Treatment. 2010. Vol. 2010, no. 2010, pp.1-6.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-505568

Data Type

Journal Articles

Language

English

Notes

Includes bibliographical references

Record ID

BIM-505568