RESUMEN
In the spring of 1994, the occurrence of Hepatitis E virus antibodies was evaluated in 653 subjects representing all age-groups in the general population of a Central Italian town, where a high hepatitis C virus prevalence had been reported. The overall anti-HEV prevalence was 2.6% ranging from 1.4% in the 30-49 age-group to 5.7% (p < 0.01) in the 60-70 age-group; none of the subjects under 30 years of age were positive. Sociodemographic variables, such as family size and years of schooling were not associated with HEV exposure. Anti-HEV positivity was found in 1.8% (1/56) of the subjects who were positive for anti-HCV and in 2.7% (16/597) of those who were anti-HCV negative (O.R 1.5; C.I.: 95% = 0.2-11.7). Thus no association was found between HEV and HCV infections. These data suggest a past spread of HEV in this area and underline the occurrence of long-lasting antibodies in infected subjects.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Endémicas , Hepacivirus/inmunología , Anticuerpos contra la Hepatitis C/análisis , Virus de la Hepatitis E/inmunología , Hepatitis E/epidemiología , Adulto , Anciano , Femenino , Anticuerpos Antihepatitis/análisis , Hepatitis C/epidemiología , Hepatitis C/virología , Hepatitis E/virología , Humanos , Técnicas para Inmunoenzimas , Inmunoglobulina G/inmunología , Italia/epidemiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Estudios Retrospectivos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Población UrbanaRESUMEN
In the spring of 1994, anti-HCV prevalence and associated risk factors were evaluated in 681 subjects representing all age-groups in the general population of a small central Italian town. The overall anti-HCV prevalence was 8.4%, ranging from 3.7% in the 30-39 age-group to 18.2% (p < 0.01) in the 60-70 age-group; no subject below 30 years of age was positive. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the only variables independently associated with anti-HCV positivity were awareness of unspecified liver disease (O.R. 3.58), age > 45 years (O.R. 2.72), and lowest number of years of schooling (O.R. 11.0) while no association was found with any parenteral exposure such as blood transfusion, intravenous drug use, major or minor surgical intervention, use of glass syringes or dental therapy. The HBsAg prevalence in this population was 1.3%, which corresponds to the rate reported in central Italy. These findings show a high level of HCV endemicity, with no evidence of parenteral exposure.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos contra la Hepatitis C/sangre , Hepatitis C/epidemiología , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Niño , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Femenino , Hepatitis C/inmunología , Humanos , Italia/epidemiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Análisis de Regresión , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factores de Riesgo , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Población UrbanaRESUMEN
We present a typical case of eosinophilic fasciitis, with transient peripheral eosinophilia, indurative swelling of the legs, perivascular infiltrates of mononuclear cells and eosinophils of the subcutis and deep fascia, increased ESR, fever, anemia, complete response to steroids. We consider the literature on this topic, particularly concerning the following question: is eosinophilic fasciitis a distinct disease entity or a variant of scleroderma?
