Chronic hepatitis B in Italy: new features of an old disease--approaching the universal prevalence of hepatitis B e antigen-negative cases and the eradication of hepatitis D infection

Clin Infect Dis. 2008 Jan 1;46(1):110-3. doi: 10.1086/524074.

Abstract

We evaluated 1336 hepatitis B surface antigen-positive subjects consecutively observed in 79 Italian hospitals over a 6-month period. The proportion of hepatitis B e antigen-negative cases was 86.4%, that of patients coinfected with hepatitis D virus was 9.7%, and the rate of patients coinfected with hepatitis C virus was 16.8%. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age >49 years, alcohol abuse, and anti-hepatitis D virus and anti-hepatitis C virus positivity were independent predictors of progression to liver cirrhosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alcoholism / epidemiology
  • Alcoholism / virology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Hepacivirus
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens / blood*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / virology
  • Hepatitis D, Chronic / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis D, Chronic / virology
  • Hepatitis Delta Virus
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / virology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Hepatitis B e Antigens