rome and Hepatitis-C

Topics: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Hepatitis C; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Risk Assessment; Rome

This study aimed to address the prevalence of infectious diseases in a population of unaccompanied immigrant minors living in reception centres of Rome, Italy.. The study was carried out from January 2013 to January 2019. All unaccompanied immigrant minors were screened for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis and latent tuberculosis infection.. A total of 879 unaccompanied immigrant minors, 858 males and 21 females, aged 13-18 years old were studied. Of these, 615 were from Africa, 179 from Asia and 84 from Eastern Europe. A low prevalence of HBsAg carriage (2.5%) was observed as was very low prevalence of hepatitis C (0.72%) and latent syphilis (0.4%); latent tuberculosis, defined as tuberculin skin test (TST)+ X-ray case, was diagnosed in 102 (12%) minors.. Similar to previous studies, these data demonstrate that migrant minors are generally healthy. However, given the relatively high prevalence of hepatitis B and latent tuberculosis, systematic screening for these diseases among immigrant minors immigrants is highly recommended for early detection and treatment of potentially transmissible diseases.

Topics: Adolescent; Emigrants and Immigrants; Female; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Humans; Latent Tuberculosis; Male; Mass Screening; Minors; Prevalence; Public Health; Rome; Syphilis; Transients and Migrants; Tuberculin Test; Young Adult

Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), soluble (s) CD163 and sCD14 play an important role in the pathogenesis of HCV and HIV infection and are involved in inflammation and liver fibrosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate at a single time point, plasma soluble biomarkers and inflammatory monocytes subsets in different groups of subjects: (i) HIV monoinfected patients on suppressive ART; (ii) HIV/HCV coinfected patients on ART, with undetectable HIV viremia (including either subjects who had active HCV replication or those who cleared HCV); (iii) HCV monoinfected individual with active viral replication.. Hundred and twenty-nine plasma samples were analyzed including HCV and HIV monoinfected patients, HIV/HCV coinfected patients, with active HCV infection (AHI) or with HCV viral clearance (VHC) and healthy donors (HD). Levels of IP-10, sCD163 and sCD14 were measured by ELISA. Absolute cell counts of monocyte subpopulations were enumerated in whole blood by using flow cytometric analyses.. IP-10 and sCD163 plasma levels were higher in HCV monoinfected and in AHI coinfected pts compared to HIV monoinfected and HD, whereas sCD14 levels were higher only in HIV monoinfected patients. Considering the degree of fibrosis, sCD163 and sCD14 levels positively correlated with kPa values (as assessed by fibroscan) and FIB-4 in HCV monoinfected group. On the other hand, IP-10 did not correlate with the fibrosis stage and it was found increased also in patients with low fibrosis. Moreover, we found an increase of the inflammatory NCM subset, in non-cirrhotic HCV subjects, while no alterations were observed in HIV, AHI and VHC.. Our study suggests a scenario in which active HCV infection is associated with a strong pro-inflammatory state, even in the initial stage of liver fibrosis, regardless the presence of HIV coinfection, thus underlying the need of an early anti-HCV treatment.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antigens, CD; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; Biomarkers; Case-Control Studies; Chemokine CXCL10; Female; Hepatitis C; HIV Infections; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis; Male; Middle Aged; Monocytes; Outpatients; Predictive Value of Tests; Receptors, Cell Surface; Rome; Sensitivity and Specificity

The aim of this study was to investigate if co-morbid conditions as hepatitis C virus infection and celiac disease may be associated to undifferentiated connective tissue disease.. We studied retrospectively and prospectively 52 patients with diagnosis of undifferentiated connective tissue disease, subdivided, according to Vaz criteria, in systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis and Sjögren's syndrome-like subgroups. Serological markers of celiac disease as anti-gliadin, anti-endomysium and anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies were investigated. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy with duodenal biopsy and histological examination was proposed to patients with positive celiac disease serology. In addition antibodies directed to hepatitis C virus and total IgA-antibodies were investigated.. Six patients (11,5%) were positive for celiac disease serological tests although two of them were asymptomatic. Four patients underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, showing total or subtotal villous atrophy at duodenal biopsies. Hepatitis C virus serology was negative in all patients and none had IgA deficiency. 83% of celiac patients showed a scleroderma-like phenotype. We observed a statistically higher incidence of autoimmune symptoms in patients with gluten sensitivity. Fatigue and myalgia regressed early after the beginning of gluten-free diet.. In our cohort of patients the prevalence of celiac disease was higher than that reported in the general population. We believe that all patients with diagnosis of undifferentiated connective tissue disease, especially those with a systemic sclerosis-like presentation, should be investigated for celiac disease, even in absence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Gluten-free diet should be early recommended to all patients having undifferentiated connective tissue disease and gluten sensitivity.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Autoantibodies; Biomarkers; Biopsy; Celiac Disease; Comorbidity; Connective Tissue Diseases; Diet, Gluten-Free; Duodenum; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Female; Hepatitis C; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Male; Middle Aged; Predictive Value of Tests; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Rome; Scleroderma, Systemic; Serologic Tests; Sjogren's Syndrome; Young Adult

To describe an outbreak of hepatitis C virus (HCV).. Retrospective cohort study.. Outpatient department of a hospital in Rome, Italy.. All 42 patients exposed to ozone therapy by autohemotherapy or intramuscular injection from January to June 2001.. Epidemiologic investigation, serologic analysis, and virus genotyping.. Thirty-one (74%) of the patients agreed to participate in the study. Three (9.7%) had symptoms of HCV infection. This incidence rate was higher than the rate of 1.4 per 100,000 per year in the regional population. Six patients were positive for HCV antibodies and HCV RNA for a prevalence rate of 19.4%, which was much higher than the estimate of 0.9% in the population. Virus genotype 1b was found in two case-patients (one symptomatic) and 2c in four case-patients (two symptomatic), one of whom was known to have an HCV infection since 1986 and could have been the source of infection. The infected patients were all being exposed to ozone-enriched transfusions of autologous blood. Although the specific mode of transmission between patients was not detected, transmission probably occurred during one of the three busiest therapeutic sessions in the 6-month period.. Transmission of HCV infection may occur during medical procedures with limited bleeding. Standard precautions must be applied in any healthcare setting; restricting the number of individuals treated during each therapeutic session could be an effective way of avoiding accidental transmission of infection.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Blood Transfusion, Autologous; Cross Infection; Disease Outbreaks; Female; Genotype; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis C; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Ozone; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; RNA, Viral; Rome

Hepatitis virus infections continue to be a major concern in the dialysis setting. We studied levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA contamination in dialysis units to better define the role of the dialysis environment and machines in the nosocomial transmission of hepatitis viruses.. Possible contamination by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HCV was studied by collecting environmental samples in 3 dialysis units located in Rome, Italy. Samples and controls were tested for HBsAg by a microparticle enzyme immunoassay, and for HCV RNA, by qualitative transcription-mediated amplification assay.. HCV RNA and HBsAg were detected in 1 of 64 (1.6%) and 1 of 64 samples (1.6%), respectively. The only HCV RNA-positive sample was found in 1 dialysis unit on the external surface of the dialysate (inlet-outlet) connector of a dialysis machine used for HCV-negative patients. The only HBsAg-positive sample was found in another dialysis unit on the internal surface of the blood pressure monitor cuff of a dialysis bed dedicated for HBsAg-positive patients.. A segregation policy for HBsAg-positive patients is a necessary measure despite its high cost-effectiveness; we found HBsAg contamination in the segregated HBV-infected room. Conversely, the finding of HCV RNA contamination on a dialysis machine not dedicated to HCV-positive patients suggests that isolation of HCV-infected dialysis patients and use of dedicated machines are unjustified. Major attention should be given to strict adherence to infection control measures in the dialysis setting.

Topics: Cross Infection; Equipment Contamination; Hemodialysis Units, Hospital; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis C; Humans; Infection Control; Patient Isolation; Renal Dialysis; RNA, Viral; Rome; Sphygmomanometers

The role of sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is still not completely understood, partly because of the lack of longitudinal studies among cohorts of HCV-negative individuals who engage in at-risk sexual behavior.. To evaluate the incidence of HCV infection in a population at risk for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and to identify factors associated with HCV seroconversion.. A retrospective longitudinal study was carried out on a cohort of consecutive attendees of a voluntary HIV-1 testing and counseling program in a large STD center in Rome. All individuals undergoing at least two consecutive tests for HCV antibodies were enrolled. Clinical data and information on individual behavior were collected for all study participants.. Between June, 1992 and December, 1994, a total of 709 individuals (12 intravenous drug users [IDU], 244 homosexuals, and 453 heterosexual non-IDUs), initially negative for HCV antibody, were tested more than once. Among these individuals, 15 HCV seroconversions occurred. The average follow-up time was 1.25 person/years (p/y) for an incidence rate of 1.69 per 100 p/y. The incidence rates by exposure category were 39.30 per 100 p/y among IDUs, 1.37 per 100 p/y among homosexual men, and 0.97 per 100 p/y among heterosexual non-IDUs. Excluding IDUs, of the 697 STD clinic attendees engaging in at-risk sexual behavior, HIV-1-positive status tended to be associated with HCV seroconversion (relative hazard = 5.48; 95% confidence interval = 0.85-35.40). The HCV crude incidence rates among HIV-1-infected patients at enrollment was 11.5%, 4.2%, and 2.4% in those with severe, moderate, and mild levels of immunosuppression, respectively (chi-square for trend = 2.38, P = 0.1).. In this cohort, HCV infection was confirmed to be strongly associated with intravenous drug use. Nonetheless, the occurrence of two thirds of the total HCV seroconversions in non-IDU individuals engaging in at-risk behavior suggests a role of sexual practices in the transmission of the infection. Among non-IDU individuals, the risk for development of HCV infection tended to increase in those who were HIV-1 infected.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Hepatitis C; HIV Infections; Humans; Incidence; Logistic Models; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Risk; Risk Factors; Rome; Sexual Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Substance Abuse, Intravenous; Urban Health

An anonymous unlinked seroprevalence study of HIV, HBV and HCV infections has been conducted on 485 sera consecutively submitted to the virology laboratory to be tested for HBsAg; sera came from patients attending general surgery at San Camillo Hospital in Rome. Carriers of HBsAg were 12 (2.5%); antibodies against HIV have been identified in 4 sera (0.8%) and against HCV in 35 (7.2) by ELISA (first generation assay); 25/35 of anti HCV ELISA positive sera were reactive also by RIBA (first generation assay). The observed prevalences of potentially infectious patients represent a risk of occupational transmission for health care workers. Vaccination against HBV, adherence with universal precautions and development of safer surgical devices and techniques are needed to prevent the risk of exposure and, consequently, of occupational acquired infections.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers; Child; Female; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis Antibodies; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B Antibodies; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Hepatitis C; HIV Antibodies; HIV Seroprevalence; Hospitals, Public; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Rome; Surgery Department, Hospital

In the present work the Authors report the results of the research of HAAb in 383 subjects living in Rome with negative history for hepatitis (divided for age, sex and occupation) and in 64 acute non B hepatitis (HBsAg-). In the latter, the titer of HAAb was determined at the beginning and later during the course of the disease. A fractionation of 13 sera of these patients was done and the type of specific immunoglobulin was determined. Among the subject with negative history for hepatitis, 68.9% was positive during first 6 months of age 6.2% from 6 months to 5 y.o., 27.6% from 6 to 12 y.o., 45.4% from 12 to 17 y.o., 76.8% from 18 to 25 y.o., 82.2% from 26 to 45 y.o., 90.2% from 46 to 65 y.o.. There was no statistically significant difference either between males and females, or among various occupations. Among the 64 patients with non B hepatitis, 25 (39%) were hepatitis A (because they showed either a seroconversion for HAAb or a positive HAAb-IgM); 12 (18.7%) were non A-non B hepatitis because HAAb negative or HAAb positive but negative for HAAb-IgM; while 27 (42.2%) were impossible to classify because they showed a positivity for HAAb but not a seroconversion during the disease. The limit of the determination of HAAb and the utility of the research of IgM antibody for the diagnosis of hepatitis A are discussed.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antibodies, Viral; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Hepatovirus; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Middle Aged; Rome