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Updated: May 15, 2026
04:11
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
Published on: December 15, 2023
Hepatitis B and immigrants: a SIMIT multicenter cross-sectional study
M Fasano1, A Saracino, G Carosi
1Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Infection
|December 25, 2012
Summary
Immigrants represent 25% of hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers in Italy, presenting distinct characteristics and lower treatment access compared to native Italians. This highlights disparities in care for HBV-positive migrants.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Increasing migration introduces new chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers to Italy.
- The clinical and virological profiles of these HBsAg-positive migrants are not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the proportion of HBsAg-positive immigrants in Italy.
- To compare the characteristics of chronic hepatitis B in migrants versus Italian carriers.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted across 74 Italian infectious disease centers.
- Anonymous data from 3,760 HBsAg-positive patients aged ≥18 years were collected between February and July 2008.
Main Results:
- Immigrants constituted 24.8% of HBsAg-positive subjects, primarily from the Far East and Eastern Europe.
- Migrants were younger, more often female, and more frequently HBeAg-positive than Italian carriers.
- Migrants showed different HBV genotypes, higher rates of inactive carriers, and lower prevalence of cirrhosis and HCC, with significantly less access to antiviral treatment.
Conclusions:
- Immigrants comprise a significant portion of HBV carriers in Italian centers, exhibiting unique demographic and virological features.
- Migrant HBV carriers demonstrate poorer access to antiviral treatment compared to native Italian carriers.
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