Infection
Volume 29, Issue 4, 2001, Pages 188-191

Hepatitis B virus infection in native versus immigrant or adopted children in Italy following the compulsory vaccination (Article)

Giacchino R.* , Zancan L. , Vajro P. , Verucchi G. , Resti M. , Barbera C. , Maccabruni A. , Marcellini M. , Balli F. , Cascio A. , Nebbia G. , Crivellaro C. , Bortolotti F. , Clemente M.G. , Bragetti P. , Valentini P. , Mazzoni N. , Losurdo G. , Cristina E.
  • a Infectious Diseases Unit, Giannini Gaslini Children's Hospital, Largo G. Gaslini 5, I-16147 Genova, Italy
  • b Clinic of Pediatrics, Padova, Italy
  • c Dept of Pediatrics, Napoli, Italy
  • d Institute of Infectious Diseases; Bologna, Italy, Italy
  • e Dept of Pediatrics, Firenze, Italy
  • f Dept of Pediatric Sciences, Torino, Italy
  • g Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Pavia, Italy
  • h [Affiliation not available]
  • i Clinic of Pediatrics, Modena, Italy
  • j Infectious Pathology and Virology, Palermo, Italy
  • k Clinic of Pediatrics, Milano, Italy
  • l O. Monselice, Padova, Italy, Italy
  • m Dept. of Clinical Experimental Medicine, Padova, Italy
  • n Clinic of Development Age, Cagliari, Italy
  • o Clinic of Pediatrics, Perugia, Italy
  • p Clinic of Pediatrics, Cattolica University, Roma, Italy
  • q Clinic of Pediatrics, Ancona, Italy
  • r Infectious Diseases Unit, Giannini Gaslini Children's Hospital, Largo G. Gaslini 5, I-16147 Genova, Italy
  • s Infectious Diseases Unit, Giannini Gaslini Children's Hospital, Largo G. Gaslini 5, I-16147 Genova, Italy

Abstract

Background: Compulsory vaccination of children against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was introduced in Italy in 1991. Patients and Methods: To evaluate the current importance of pediatric HBV infection, we studied 359 HBsAg-positive children admitted to 16 centers in Italy from 1991 to 1998. 185 patients were natives of Italy and 174 (39 immigrants and 135 adopted) came from highly endemic countries (eastern Europe: 60.9%, Asia: 16.7%, Africa: 14.9% and Central and South America: 5.7%). Results: Transaminase levels were moderately altered in both Italian (mean 134 UI/l) and foreign children (mean 168 UI/l). In total, 77% of Italian children and 88% of foreign children tested HBeAg positive. High transaminase levels and HBeAg positivity were more frequent in adopted children. Follow-up of 317 patients showed that the incidence of HBeAg/anti-HBe serum conversion was similar in all cohorts, but in adopted children it occurred at an earlier age and was associated with HBsAg clearance in 5%. Conclusion: HBV is not frequent in Italian children today, but it is common among children coming from highly endemic areas. The vaccination of nonimmune native populations must be strongly recommended.

Author Keywords

Immigrant Adopted children HBV vaccination Hepatitis B virus hepatitis

Index Keywords

immigrant human comparative study adoption Hepatitis B virus aminotransferase Humans Adolescent male female Infant Child, Preschool aminotransferase blood level Article Hepatitis B Vaccines major clinical study endemic disease Emigration and Immigration Italy Immunization Programs Hepatitis B Surface Antigens vaccination hepatitis B Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-17944381520&doi=10.1007%2fs15010-001-1146-2&partnerID=40&md5=53513f7573b8d99312f7c99298ad2f42
DOI: 10.1007/s15010-001-1146-2
ISSN: 03008126
Cited by: 29
Original Language: English