LOW-PREVALENCE OF ANTI-HCV ANTIBODY AMONG ITALIAN CHILDREN

The seroprevalence of anti-HCV antibody was studied among 2,749 childr en and teenagers (1,438 males and 1,311 females) living in Italy. Anti -HCV antibody testing was positive by both EIA and RIBA in ten (0.36%) subjects. The positivity rate increased with age, ranging from 0 amon g children less than 6 years of age to 0.8% among those aged 17-19 yea rs X(2) linear regression = 0.038). Anti-HCV prevalence ranged from 0. 2% in northeastern regions and in Apulia to 0.6% in Sicily and Sardini a (p > 0.005), and no difference was seen between males (0.35%, C.I. 9 5%: 0.04-0.66) and females (0.38%, C.I. 95%: 0.04-0.66) (Fisher's exac t test = 0.565). From these data it appears that in Italy HCV infectio n is an uncommon event during childhood.