The changing face of the epidemiology of type A, B, and D viral hepatitis in Italy, following the implementation of vaccination

Vaccine. 2009 May 26;27(25-26):3439-42. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.01.056. Epub 2009 Feb 5.

Abstract

The morbidity and mortality rates of viral hepatitis A, B and Delta have dramatically dropped in Italy during the last decades. Thanks to the general improvements in hygiene and sanitation, hepatitis A has shifted from a high to an intermediate/low endemicity status. Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended to people at increased risk, including travellers to endemic areas, military personnel and individuals at occupational risk. The implementation of universal anti-hepatitis B vaccination of infants and adolescents has resulted in a dramatic decline in disease burden and in the carrier rate. An additional benefit of hepatitis B vaccination is that hepatitis Delta has also substantially declined.

MeSH terms

  • Hepatitis A / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis A Vaccines / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / immunology*
  • Hepatitis D / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Vaccination*

Substances

  • Hepatitis A Vaccines
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines