Prato, hepatitis epidemic among marginalised communities

A study carried out by the Universities of Pisa and Florence, Italy, on marginalised populations, by analysing groups of people in urban reception centres, has revealed a significant increase in the risk of contracting hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses. The study, funded by Gilead Science, the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Pistoia e Pescia, and the Region of Tuscany, was recently published in ‘The Lancet Regional Health – Europe.’ The survey found prevalences much higher than the national average and in very young subjects. In addition, positive subjects who had access to clinical care and treatment, particularly those with hepatitis C, were healed. The research team, which tested markers for hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection in 1,812 marginalised people in the metropolitan areas of Florence, Prato, and Pistoia, found that 4.4% of participants tested positive for hepatitis B, a sign of active infection, while 2.9% had antibodies indicating exposure to the hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis B positivity was more common among men (91%) and those of non-Italian origin, especially those from areas with low vaccination coverage. 66.3% of those positive for hepatitis B and 37.8% of those positive for hepatitis C started monitoring or treatment based on clinical evaluation. Among patients with active hepatitis C infection, all those treated with antiviral drugs achieved recovery.