Infectious Diseases of Poverty
Volume 6, Issue 1, 2017

Hepatitis B virus infection in undocumented immigrants and refugees in Southern Italy: Demographic, virological, and clinical features (Article) (Open Access)

Coppola N.* , Alessio L. , Gualdieri L. , Pisaturo M. , Sagnelli C. , Minichini C. , Di Caprio G. , Starace M. , Onorato L. , Signoriello G. , Macera M. , Angelillo I.F. , Pasquale G. , Sagnelli E.
  • a Second University of Naples, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Via L. Armanni 5, Naples, 80133, Italy
  • b Second University of Naples, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Via L. Armanni 5, Naples, 80133, Italy, Medical Center, Social center ex Canapificio, Caserta, Italy
  • c Medical Center, Center for the wardship of the immigrants, Naples, Italy
  • d Welcome center 'La tenda di Abramo', Medical Center, Caserta, Italy, AORN Sant'Anna e San Sebastiano, Infectious Diseases Unit, Caserta, Italy
  • e Second University of Naples, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Naples, Italy, Center of missionary nuns of carithy, Medical center, Naples, Italy
  • f Second University of Naples, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Via L. Armanni 5, Naples, 80133, Italy
  • g Second University of Naples, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Via L. Armanni 5, Naples, 80133, Italy, Medical Center, Social center ex Canapificio, Caserta, Italy
  • h Second University of Naples, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Via L. Armanni 5, Naples, 80133, Italy
  • i Second University of Naples, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Via L. Armanni 5, Naples, 80133, Italy, Medical Center, Social center ex Canapificio, Caserta, Italy
  • j Second University of Naples, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Statistic, Naples, Italy
  • k Second University of Naples, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Via L. Armanni 5, Naples, 80133, Italy
  • l Second University of Naples, Department of Experimental Medicine, Naples, Italy
  • m Second University of Naples, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Via L. Armanni 5, Naples, 80133, Italy
  • n AORN Sant'Anna e San Sebastiano, Infectious Diseases Unit, Caserta, Italy

Abstract

Background: The data on hepatitis b virus (HBV) infection in immigrants population are scanty. The porpoise of this study was to define the demographic, virological, and clinical characteristics of subjects infected with HBV chronic infection in a cohort of immigrants living in Naples, Italy. Methods: A screening for HBV infection was offered to 1,331 immigrants, of whom 1,212 (91%) (831 undocumented immigrants and 381 refugees) accepted and were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis B core antibody (HBc). Those found to be HBsAg positive were further investigated at third-level infectious disease units. Results: Of the 1,212 immigrants screened, 116 (9.6%) were HBsAg positive, 490 (40.4%) were HBsAg negative/anti-HBc positive, and 606 (50%) were seronegative for both. Moreover, 21 (1.7%) were anti-human immunodeficiency virus positive and 45 (3.7%) were anti-hepatitis C virus positive. The logistic regression analysis showed that male sex (OR: 1.79; 95%CI: 1.28-2.51), Sub-Saharan African origin (OR: 6.18; 95%CI: 3.37-11.36), low level of schooling (OR: 0.96; 95%CI: 0.94-0.99), and minor parenteral risks for acquiring HBV infection (acupuncture, tattoo, piercing, or tribal practices, OR: 1.54; 95%CI: 1.1-2.16) were independently associated with ongoing or past HBV infection. Of the 116 HBsAg-positive immigrants, 90 (77.6%) completed their diagnostic itinerary at a third-level infectious disease unit: 29 (32.2%) were asymptomatic non-viremic HBsAg carriers, 43 (47.8%) were asymptomatic viremic carriers, 14 (15.6%) had chronic hepatitis, and four (4.4%) had liver cirrhosis, with superimposed hepatocellular carcinoma in two. Conclusions: The data illustrate the demographic, clinical and virological characteristics of HBV infection in immigrants in Italy and indicate the need for Italian healthcare authorities to enhance their support for providing screening, HBV vaccination, treatment, and educational programs for this populations. © 2017 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Italy Illegal immigrants Refugees Hepatitis B Chronic hepatitis B virus infection Immigration

Index Keywords

prospective study immigrant refugee multicenter study clinical trial demography liver cirrhosis clinical feature human Prospective Studies Refugees middle aged priority journal pathology Aged disease carrier body piercing Hepatitis B virus Undocumented Immigrants Young Adult school child acupuncture undocumented immigrant Humans Adolescent virology male Human immunodeficiency virus antibody female questionnaire chronic hepatitis liver cell carcinoma Article blood major clinical study adult Hepatitis B, Chronic health education hepatitis C antibody hepatitis B surface antigen Italy Hepatitis B Surface Antigens hepatitis B Hepatitis B Antibodies hepatitis B core antibody tattoo hepatitis B antibody Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85012067949&doi=10.1186%2fs40249-016-0228-4&partnerID=40&md5=4de05aab2a20ad3b553c5ff7ec40403c
DOI: 10.1186/s40249-016-0228-4
ISSN: 20955162
Cited by: 21
Original Language: English