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Purpose: The prevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) and anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV), as well as the possible links with socio-demographic and other viral risks factors, were evaluated in an inmates population. Methods: The study population consisted of 973 consecutively recruited inmates of eight Italian prisons. Results: The anti-HEV prevalence was 11.6 % (113/973). It increased significantly by age (χ for linear trend: p = 0.001) and was significantly higher among non-Italian compared to Italian inmates (15.3 vs. 10.7 %, respectively). Age >40 years [odds ratio (OR) 2.1; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.4-3.1], non-Italian citizenship (OR 1.8; 95 % CI 1.1-2.9) and anti-HIV seropositivity (OR 2.2; 95 % CI 1.2-4.2) were the only factors independently associated to anti-HEV positivity by logistic regression analysis. The overall anti-HAV prevalence was 86.4 %, and was significantly higher in non-Italian compared to Italian prisoners (92.6 vs. 84.9 %, respectively; p = 0.02). Age older than 40 years (OR 3.6; 95 % CI 2.2-5.9), <5 years formal education (OR 2.1; 95 % CI 1.3-3.2) and non-Italian nationality (OR 2.7; 95 % CI 1.5-4.8) were factors independently associated to anti-HAV positivity by the logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: Compared to the general population, significantly higher anti-HEV and anti-HAV prevalences were observed in an inmates population in Italy. Old age and non-Italian nationality were factors independently related to both HEV and HAV exposures. This data suggest the important role of low socio-economic factors in the transmission of both infections in high-risk populations. The possible epidemiological and/or pathogenetic links between HEV and HIV exposures need to be studied further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Albania is a Mediterranean, South–East European developing country where epidemiological data on infectious diseases are scarce. In this study, the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in 1,088 Albanian healthy volunteers (472 females followed-up to a prenatal clinic, 173 recruits, 443 health care workers) was evaluated. Sera were tested for immunoglobulin-G (IgG) antibodies against H. pylori using a quantitative enzyme immunosorbent assay. The overall H. pylori seroprevalence was 70.7%. The H. pylori seroprevalence increased by age, from 60.4% in individuals younger than 20 years to 81% among those ‡ 50 years of age with a significant trend of increase by age. The overall seroprevalence was 73.9% for females and 59.5% for males. In addition the seroprevalence was 55.3% for people living in rural areas and 72.3% for people living in urban areas. No significant differences were found according to level of education except for individuals with elementary level of education. Nurses and hospital auxiliaries have significantly higher H. pylori seroprevalence when compared to other health care workers (physicians and office workers). When each variable (age, gender, area of residence, occupation, and education level) was adjusted for the confounding effect of the other variables by stepwise logistic analysis, we observed that age greater than 40 years and female gender remain the only variables independently associated with the presence of H. pylori IgG antibodies. H. pylori is highly prevalent among the Albanian population. Improving living conditions, education in hygiene, and the supply of running water are measures to prevent the transmission of H. pylori infection and other infections spread by the fecal–oral route in Albania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim was to estimate the prevalence and the persistence of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) exposure markers in a group at high risk for transfusiontransmitted agents. Patients and Methods: Serum samples from 37 thalassemic patients were screened for GBV-C/HGV RNA by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and for antibodies to the envelope protein E2 of GBV-C/HGV (anti E2). Results and Discussion: GBV-C/HGV RNA and anti-E2 were detected in 13 (35%) and 12 (32%) sera, respectively. Contemporary presence of both markers was found in one patient. GBV-C/HGV exposure was found in 24 patients (64.8%). Mean levels of liver enzymes were similar in both exposed and unexposed GBV-C/HGV groups. 33 out of 35 patients showed no change in GBV-C/HGV RNA and anti-E2 status in sera taken 6 months apart. The rate of persistent infection was 92.3% and the anti-E2 seroconversion rate was 23% for sera taken at least 6 months apart. The temporal overlap between anti E2 seroconversion and loss of detectable GBV-C/HGV RNA may last more than 6 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]