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Biomedical subjects

L Sagliocca

Publications and source records attributed to L Sagliocca.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Risk factors for acute non-A, non-B hepatitis and their relationship to antibodies for hepatitis C virus: a case-control study.

A case-control study was carried out comparing 333 case subjects with non-A, non-B hepatitis and 1095 hospital control subjects. Of 333 case subjects, 197 (59%) were positive for hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV). Excluding blood transfusion and intravenous drug use, surgical intervention and dental therapy were strongly associated with anti-HCV-positive cases: in particular, obstetric and gynecology surgical intervention was found to be strongly associated with HCV positivity (odds ratio [OR] = 32; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 7, 147). Raw shellfish consumption was a risk factor for anti-HCV-negative cases (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.0, 5.1), thus suggesting an enterically transmitted virus in sporadic non-A, non-B hepatitis in Italy.

Acute Disease↗

[The evaluation of the risk factors for congenital hypothyroidism: the outlook of a case-control study].

The availability of a National Register of congenital hypothyroid infants allowed to perform descriptive studies on characteristics of the cases and the efficiency of the neonatal screening. Continuous and exhaustive recording of data concerning congenital hypothyroidism cases provided valuable epidemiological informations about congenital hypothyroidism in Italy. Moreover, the National Register allowed to develop a network of collaboration which can promote a population based case-control study. As the etiopathogenesis of congenital hypothyroidism has not been completely elucidated, performing of a case-control study can contribute to evidence the most important risk factors of congenital hypothyroidism and to improve the prevention also by prenatal diagnosis of this disease. Screening centers will be involved in the study and questionnaires of the National Register for congenital hypothyroidism will be used to record case and control informations. A biological bank concerning cases, controls and their parents, will be organized.

Case-Control Studies↗

Understanding the dynamics of the HIV epidemic among Italian intravenous drug users: a cross-sectional versus a longitudinal approach.

We studied annual human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroprevalence and incidence in a large number of intravenous drug users attending drug treatment centers in three Italian urban areas. We also evaluated risk factors for HIV seropositivity and for HIV seroconversion. The results showed that HIV prevalence and incidence are declining. HIV prevalence declined dramatically in study participants that were < 25 years old. Prevalent HIV cases were associated with older age and longer duration of intravenous drug use; however, short duration of drug use increased the risk of seroconversion. The findings of our study suggest that comparing cross-sectional and longitudinal data contributes to a better understanding of the dynamics of the HIV epidemic among intravenous drug users.

Adult↗

Hepatitis B mass immunization of adolescents: a pilot study in a community.

The National Type Specific Hepatitis Surveillance System (SEIEVA) and seroepidemiological studies have shown that in addition to newborns from mothers who are carriers for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), adolescents are at high risk of acquiring type B hepatitis virus because of increasing importance of the heterosexual transmission of this virus. In order to evaluate logistic problems and acceptance rate of adolescents to mass vaccination against hepatitis B, a pilot study was carried out among all 7th grade children registered in the 9 schools of an hepatitis B endemic area located in the suburbs of Naples. After meetings held by the local health department with school teachers and parents, 1219 out of 1250 (97.5%) invited children received the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine; 1215 and 1209 received, respectively, the second and third doses. Anti-hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) values were studied in 406 subjects one month after the third dose, and 21 out of 406 (5.2%) had anti-HBs values less than 10 IU/L. We consider 95% of subjects with anti-HBs values greater than 9 IU/L a good achievement for a field vaccination program. The high acceptance rate of vaccination found in our study outlines the importance of active offer of vaccination combined with school involvement.

Adolescent↗

Travel-associated hepatitis A: effect of place of residence and country visited.

The association between hepatitis A and domestic or international travel from Italy was investigated. Data from a nationwide surveillance system (SEIEVA) for type-specific acute viral hepatitis were used to compare 1102 hepatitis A cases with 3671 hepatitis B cases. An association between hepatitis A and travel was found in northern Italy, where most young and adult people are susceptible. Estimates of odds ratios vary dramatically according to geographical area of travel. Travellers to Mediterranean countries, Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, and South and Central America had the highest education and age-adjusted odds ratios for hepatitis A, ranging from 6 to 25. Prophylaxis against hepatitis A for such travellers is recommended.

Adolescent↗

Decline of incidence of A, B and non-A, non-B hepatitis in Italy. Results of four years surveillance (1985-88). SEIEVA collaborating group.

A specific surveillance system for acute viral hepatitis which uses weekly notification of cases and a standard risk factor questionnaire was started in Italy in 1984. From 1985 to 1988 153 Health Departments (27% of Italian population) joined the system. Estimated incidence of reported viral hepatitis was 30 per 100,000 in 1985 and 14 in 1988. The decline was impressive for hepatitis A, particularly in the south. Reduction of incidence was also evident for hepatitis B and Non-A, Non-B hepatitis, particularly in young adults. The decrease of viral hepatitis in Italy is consistent with recent seroepidemiological data. Shellfish consumption was the most frequent risk factor reported for hepatitis A cases at all ages. Hospitalization, surgical intervention, dental therapy and other percutaneous exposures still play a role in the transmission of parenteral hepatitis in Italy. Blood transfusions seem to be important only for Non-A, Non-B. Interventions other than vaccination to prevent B and Non-A, Non-B hepatitis due to hospitalization, surgical intervention, other percutaneous exposures and dental therapy are needed and can further contribute to the decline of hepatitis virus infection rates in Italy.

Acute Disease↗

A village outbreak of hepatitis A: acquaintance network and inapparent pre-school transmission compared.

A village outbreak of 38 cases of serologically confirmed hepatitis A is described. The epidemic curve was a propagative one and all of the cases occurred in primary school-age or pre-school children. In 1984 the incidence in this age group was 5,000 per 100,000, about 50 times the corresponding national rate. Although 21 of the cases attended the single primary school, these cases were not clustered within school years or classes and examination of onset dates showed only four cases could have resulted from case transmission within classes. A matched triplet case-control study was undertaken to measure the risk associated with prior contact with a case within the acquaintance network and the risk of household contact with either of the two pre-school nurseries where inapparent transmission may have been occurring. Whereas a similar proportion of cases and controls had direct or indirect contact with the nurseries, 48% of cases, compared with 9% of controls, reported a previous case of jaundice within 6 weeks amongst their acquaintance network (matched triplet analysis P less than .0001).

Child↗