Acute hepatitis E virus infection in a migrant population in North East Italy : A retrospective analysis
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2017
Citazione:
Acute hepatitis E virus infection in a migrant population in North East Italy : A retrospective analysis / L. Bradanini, D. Youkee, P. Fabris, L. Romanò, E. Brunetti, M.T. Giordani. - In: TRAVEL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE. - ISSN 1477-8939. - (2017). [Epub ahead of print] [10.1016/j.tmaid.2017.03.014]
Abstract:
Objective To study the epidemiological and clinical features of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) infection in a migrant population.
Methods We performed a retrospective chart review, identifying a cohort of 21 symptomatic patients of migrant origin with confirmed HEV infection admitted in the period between January 1995 - November 2014.
Results 20 (95%) patients came from South Asian countries highly endemic for HEV, all positive
for HEV genotype 1. Recent travel to a highly endemic country was the most consistent risk factor
identified in 90% of cases, duration from return to Italy to hospitalisation ranged from 10 to120
days. Nausea and vomiting (100%), jaundice (95.2%), and anorexia (85.7%) were the most
common reported symptoms. Fever was present in 57.1% of cases. Transaminase values were
elevated in all patients and serum bilirubin was raised in 86% of patients. We found no statistically
significant differences between clinical symptoms, laboratory results or duration of hospitalisation
in patients with co-morbidities compared to those without. We also report a secondary case of HEV
genotype 1 transmitted within Italy.
Conclusion Our study highlights the epidemiological risk factors and clinical features of HEV
infection in a migrant population in Italy and should stimulate further research regarding the
prevalence and morbidity of HEV within migrant populations in Europe.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
Hepatitis E Virus, HEV; migrant; Italy, viral Hepatitis
Elenco autori:
L. Bradanini, D. Youkee, P. Fabris, L. Romanò, E. Brunetti, M.T. Giordani
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