HEPATITIS-A INFECTION - A SEROEPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY IN YOUNG-ADULTS IN NORTHEAST ITALY

During the period from January to May 1994, the prevalence of antibodi es to hepatitis A virus infection (anti-HAV) was tested by immunoenzym e assay in the serum samples of 620 apparently healthy subjects (81% m ales, 19% females), from 10 to 29 years old, resident in North-East It aly (Pordenone and surrounding district). The overall prevalence of an ti-HAV was 3.7%. There was a significant lower prevalence in the group aged 10-19 than in the one aged 20-29 years (0.7% vs 6%; p < 0.001). Moreover, a significant sex difference was observed for the 20-29 year age group (p < 0.001). Among the various risk factors considered, fam ily size and travelling abroad to endemic areas were significantly ass ociated with HAV infection. Since a valid and effective vaccine agains t HAV infection has recently become available, anti-HAV vccination cam paigns can feasibly be programmed. However, different geographical reg ions present different epidemiological situations, so its use should b e adapted to each region, with special attention to the cost-effective ness of the immunisation programme. Our data suggest that in our regio n such vaccination could initially be proposed to high-risk subjects s uch as those travelling to endemic areas.