Abstract
We have compared the prevalence of antibody to HAV in sera collected from healthy individuals of Milan in 1958, 1977 and 1992 respectively. The results show a dramatic reduction of HAV circulation likely due to the considerable improvement of socioeconomic and hygienic living conditions which have occurred in Italy during the last decades.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Chiaramonte M, Moschen ME, Stroffolini T, et al. Changing epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection: A comparative seroepidemiology study (1979 vs 1989) in northeast Italy. Ital J Gastroenterol 1991; 23: 344–346.
De Mattia D, Stroffolini T, Rapicetta M, et al. Decline in the exposure to hepatitis A virus infection among children in Bari. Riv Ital Pediatr 1991; 17: 213–215.
Stroffolini T, Franco E, Romano G, et al. Hepatitis A virus infection in children in Sardinia. Community Medicine 1989; 11: 336–341.
Stroffolini T, De Crescenzo L, Giammanco A, et al. Changing patterns of hepatitis A virus infection in children in Palermo, Italy. Eur J Epidemiol 1990; 6: 84–87.
Zanetti AR, Ferroni P, Bastia A. Decline in incidence of hepatitis A infection in Milan: A serologic study. Boll Ist Sieroter Milan 1978; 57: 816–820.
Mele A, Pasquini P, Paná A. Hepatitis A in Italy: Epidemiology and suggestions for control. Ital J Gastroenterol 1991; 23: 341–343.
Mele A, Rapicetta M, Stroffolini T, et al. Sistema epidemiologico integrato dell'Epatite Virale Acuta. Rapporto annuale 1990. Istituto Superiore di Sanitá, ISTISAN 92/2, 1992.
Frosner GG, Papaevangelou G, Butler R, et al. Antibody against hepatitis A in seven European countries: Comparison of prevalence data in different age groups. Am J Epidemiol 1979; 110: 63–69.
Kremastinov J, Kalapothaki V, Tricopoulos D. The changing epidemiologic pattern of hepatitis A infection in urban Greece. Am J Epidemiol 1984; 120: 703–706.
Lednar WM, Lemon SM, Kirkpatrick JW, et al. Frequency of illness associated with hepatitis A virus infection in adults. Am J Epidemiol 1985; 122: 226–231.
Sherlock S. Diseases of the liver and biliary system. Oxford: Blanckwell Scientific Publications, 1989: 301–338.
Mele A, Rastelli MG, Owen NG, et al. Recurrent epidemic hepatitis A associated with consumption of raw shellfish, probably controlled through public health measures. Am J Epidemiol 1989; 130: 540–546.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zanetti, A.R., Romanò, L., Tanzi, E. et al. Decline in anti-HAV prevalence in the Milan area between 1958 and 1992. Eur J Epidemiol 10, 633–635 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01719584
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01719584