Abstract
Many aspects of the epidemiology of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C) infection have not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of GBV-C antibodies and risk factors in different subjects living in Italy. A total of 1,005 sera were tested for the presence of antibodies to the of GBV-C E2 protein using a recently developed enzyme immunoassay. A high prevalence of GBV-C antibodies was found in healthy blood donors (12.6%). Hemodialysis patients and drug users showed higher rates of GBV-C seropositivity (22% and 39%, respectively). Immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia had anti-GBV-C prevalence comparable to that found in Italian blood donors, whereas higher and lower rates were detected in immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean (19.5%) and from Mediterranean Africa (5.6%). GBV-C infections are widespread in the general population in Italy and particularly common in risk groups. The different prevalence of GBV-C antibodies detected in third world immigrants is likely to reflect the prevalence in the countries of origin. However, the observation that the length of residency in Italy is a significant risk factor may suggest that at least some GBV-C infections are contracted in Italy.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
