Arnolfo Petruzziello , Rocco Sabatino, Giovanna Loquercio, Annunziata Guzzo, Lucia Di Capua, Francesco Labonia, Anna Cozzolino, Rosa Azzaro, Gerardo Botti
Published: February 20, 2019
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0212033
In conclusion, the epidemiological framework of Hepatitis C infection in Southern Italy, particularly interesting for the high prevalence of this virus in the general population, seems to highlight the "returning" role of the iatrogenic transmission as risk factor for the diffusion of HCV infection. Furthermore, the small increase of genotype 3a among young people should be more investigated, with a support of a phylogenetic analysis. At support of our hypothesis, some studies report small HCV outbreaks in Europe due to breaches in standards of health and safety practices among health-care workers [56]. Indeed, an interesting case–control study highlighted some unconventional routes of diffusion of Hepatitis C infection such as digestive endoscopy, beauty treatments and professional pedicure/manicure [57]. This suggest not only a necessary evaluation of the safety practices in surgery, but the fundamental importance of not lowering the safety levels, especially among all health-care professionals.
Abstract
Introduction
It has been greatly described that different hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes are strictly correlated to various evolution, prognosis and response to therapy during the chronic liver disease. Aim of this study was to outline the changes in the epidemiology of Hepatitis C genotypes in Southern Italy regions from 2006 to 2014.
Material/Methods
Prevalence of HCV genotypes was analyzed in 535 HCV-RNA positive patients with chronic Hepatitis C infection, selected during the period 2012–2014, and compared with our previous data, referred to periods 2006–2008 and 2009–2011.
Results
In all the three periods analyzed, genotype 1b is predominant (51.8% in 2006–08, 48.3% in 2009–11 and 54.4% in 2012–14) while genotype 2 showed an increase in prevalence (27.9% in 2006–08, 31.7% in 2009–11 and 35.2% in 2012–14) and genotypes 3a and 1a a decrease during the same period (6.8% in 2006–08, 4.7% in 2009–11 and 3.2% in 2012–14 and 7.9% in 2006–08, 4.7% in 2009–11 and 2.6% in 2012–14, respectively). Subtype 1b seems to be equally distributed between males and females (52.7% vs 56.6%) and the prevalence in the age range 31–40 years is significantly higher in the 2012–14 period than in both previous periods (53.8% vs. 16.6% in 2009–11, p< 0.001 and 13.4% in 2006–08, p < 0.001).
Conclusions
Genotype 1b is still the most prevalent, even if shows a significantly increase in the under 40 years old population. Instead, genotype 3a seems to have a moderate increase among young people. Overall, the alarming finding is the “returning” role of the iatrogenic transmission as risk factor for the diffusion of Hepatitis C infection.
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