BMC Infectious Diseases
Volume 10, 2010

Prevalence of Hepatitis B, C, HIV and syphilis markers among refugees in Bari, Italy (Article) (Open Access)

Tafuri S. , Prato R.* , Martinelli D. , Melpignano L. , De Palma M. , Quarto M. , Germinario C.
  • a Department of Biomedical Sciences, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Puglia Regional Observatory for Epidemiology, Bari, Italy, Piazza Giulio Cesare 13-15, 70124 Bari, Italy
  • b Department of Medical Sciences, Hygiene Section, University of Foggia, Puglia Regional Observatory for Epidemiology, Foggia, Italy, Viale L. Pinto Ospedali Riuniti di Foggia, 71100 Foggia, Italy
  • c Department of Medical Sciences, Hygiene Section, University of Foggia, Puglia Regional Observatory for Epidemiology, Foggia, Italy, Viale L. Pinto Ospedali Riuniti di Foggia, 71100 Foggia, Italy
  • d Department of Biomedical Sciences, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Puglia Regional Observatory for Epidemiology, Bari, Italy, Piazza Giulio Cesare 13-15, 70124 Bari, Italy
  • e Department of Biomedical Sciences, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Puglia Regional Observatory for Epidemiology, Bari, Italy, Piazza Giulio Cesare 13-15, 70124 Bari, Italy
  • f Department of Biomedical Sciences, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Puglia Regional Observatory for Epidemiology, Bari, Italy, Piazza Giulio Cesare 13-15, 70124 Bari, Italy
  • g Department of Biomedical Sciences, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Puglia Regional Observatory for Epidemiology, Bari, Italy, Piazza Giulio Cesare 13-15, 70124 Bari, Italy

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) serological markers and the prevalence of VDRL positive subjects in a population of refugees of various nationalities, living in the Asylum Seeker Centre in Bari Palese, Southern Italy.Methods: The study was carried out in the period May-July 2008 and recruited only voluntarily enrolled healthy refugees. HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HCV and anti-HIV virus antibodies were detected. VDRL syphilis screening was also carried out on the serum samples.Results: A total of 529 refugees, 442 males and 87 females, aged between 7 and 52 years, were studied. Of these, 510 were from Africa and 19 from Asia.Forty-four individuals (8.3%) were HBsAg positive and 241 (45.6%) were anti-HBc positive. A total of 24 (4.5%) individuals were anti-HCV positive. Eight asylum seekers (1.5%) were HIV positive. VDRL tests were performed on 269 subjects and 4 (1.5%) were positive. 12.3% of the study population had serological markers of chronic and transmissible infections with potential blood-borne or sexual transmission.Conclusions: In Italy, a suitable protocol is necessary for the early diagnosis of infectious diseases on entering Asylum Centres, so allowing the adoption of prevention measures to safeguard the health of the individuals, the residents and workers in the Centres and the general population. © 2010 Tafuri et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

HIV Infections refugee Human immunodeficiency virus infection human epidemiology Refugees middle aged sex difference controlled study Hepatitis C virus screening test Hepatitis B virus Phosphatidylcholines cardiolipin Cardiolipins Young Adult venereal disease reaction test school child Humans phosphatidylcholine HIV Antibodies Adolescent venereal disease research laboratory antigen male virus detection antibody detection female Human immunodeficiency virus antibody Syphilis immunology cholesterol Article disease transmission blood major clinical study adult serology hepatitis C antibody hepatitis B surface antigen Italy Hepatitis C Antibodies Hepatitis B Surface Antigens hepatitis B Seroepidemiologic Studies Hepatitis B Antibodies hepatitis B core antibody virus antibody hepatitis B antibody hepatitis C Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77954666829&doi=10.1186%2f1471-2334-10-213&partnerID=40&md5=46ad6c8d38da47892c52a9d9e48dd189
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-10-213
ISSN: 14712334
Cited by: 36
Original Language: English