Hepatitis B Vaccine Decreases Hepatitis B Incidence in Cohort of Drug Users in Italy

[Guest guest]

CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update

Wednesday, May 12, 2004

ITALY:

" Hepatitis B Vaccine Decreases Hepatitis B Incidence in Cohort of

Drug Users "

Hepatitis Weekly (05.03.04)

Recent research from Italy showed that the incidence of

hepatitis B infection decreased, due to anti-HBV vaccination, in

a cohort of drug users followed over 15 years. " In the Western

world, " the scientists wrote, " the population at the highest risk

of HBV infection is probably that of illicit drug users (DUs).

Since 1985, the Public Health Center for Drug Users (PHCDU), in

northeastern Italy, has been asking all heroin DUs, whether in

treatment or not, to undergo screening for HIV, HBV and, since

1989, for HCV infection. Since 1988 the Center has proposed HBV

vaccination to all patients who were negative for all HBV

markers.

" From 1985 to 2001, 895 heroin DUs were screened, 726 males

and 169 females, " reported Fabio Lugoboni and colleagues at the

University of Verona. " Four hundred and forty-two (49.4 percent)

were negative to HBV markers at the first control and 72.4

percent received at least one dose of the vaccine. Three hundred

and twenty DUs were vaccinated and a total of 995 doses of

recombinant vaccine were administered. The anti-HBc antibody

appeared in 2 vaccinated patients out of 258 DUs undergoing

controls, while 13 seroconversions for anti-HBc occurred in 45

DUs who had refused to be vaccinated.

" On the basis of these results, " the study continued, " HBV

vaccination of DUs can be strongly recommended. Vaccination

showed a good adherence in a population difficult to treat and

can have a leading role in reducing HBV infection in DUs and

their contacts. "

The report, " Progressive Decrease of Hepatitis B in a Cohort

of Drug Users Followed over a Period of 15 Years: The Impact of

Anti-HBV Vaccination, " appeared in the Scandinavian Journal of

Infectious Diseases (2004;36(2);131-133).

[Guest guest]

CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update

Wednesday, May 12, 2004

ITALY:

" Hepatitis B Vaccine Decreases Hepatitis B Incidence in Cohort of

Drug Users "

Hepatitis Weekly (05.03.04)

Recent research from Italy showed that the incidence of

hepatitis B infection decreased, due to anti-HBV vaccination, in

a cohort of drug users followed over 15 years. " In the Western

world, " the scientists wrote, " the population at the highest risk

of HBV infection is probably that of illicit drug users (DUs).

Since 1985, the Public Health Center for Drug Users (PHCDU), in

northeastern Italy, has been asking all heroin DUs, whether in

treatment or not, to undergo screening for HIV, HBV and, since

1989, for HCV infection. Since 1988 the Center has proposed HBV

vaccination to all patients who were negative for all HBV

markers.

" From 1985 to 2001, 895 heroin DUs were screened, 726 males

and 169 females, " reported Fabio Lugoboni and colleagues at the

University of Verona. " Four hundred and forty-two (49.4 percent)

were negative to HBV markers at the first control and 72.4

percent received at least one dose of the vaccine. Three hundred

and twenty DUs were vaccinated and a total of 995 doses of

recombinant vaccine were administered. The anti-HBc antibody

appeared in 2 vaccinated patients out of 258 DUs undergoing

controls, while 13 seroconversions for anti-HBc occurred in 45

DUs who had refused to be vaccinated.

" On the basis of these results, " the study continued, " HBV

vaccination of DUs can be strongly recommended. Vaccination

showed a good adherence in a population difficult to treat and

can have a leading role in reducing HBV infection in DUs and

their contacts. "

The report, " Progressive Decrease of Hepatitis B in a Cohort

of Drug Users Followed over a Period of 15 Years: The Impact of

Anti-HBV Vaccination, " appeared in the Scandinavian Journal of

Infectious Diseases (2004;36(2);131-133).

[Guest guest]

CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update

Wednesday, May 12, 2004

ITALY:

" Hepatitis B Vaccine Decreases Hepatitis B Incidence in Cohort of

Drug Users "

Hepatitis Weekly (05.03.04)

Recent research from Italy showed that the incidence of

hepatitis B infection decreased, due to anti-HBV vaccination, in

a cohort of drug users followed over 15 years. " In the Western

world, " the scientists wrote, " the population at the highest risk

of HBV infection is probably that of illicit drug users (DUs).

Since 1985, the Public Health Center for Drug Users (PHCDU), in

northeastern Italy, has been asking all heroin DUs, whether in

treatment or not, to undergo screening for HIV, HBV and, since

1989, for HCV infection. Since 1988 the Center has proposed HBV

vaccination to all patients who were negative for all HBV

markers.

" From 1985 to 2001, 895 heroin DUs were screened, 726 males

and 169 females, " reported Fabio Lugoboni and colleagues at the

University of Verona. " Four hundred and forty-two (49.4 percent)

were negative to HBV markers at the first control and 72.4

percent received at least one dose of the vaccine. Three hundred

and twenty DUs were vaccinated and a total of 995 doses of

recombinant vaccine were administered. The anti-HBc antibody

appeared in 2 vaccinated patients out of 258 DUs undergoing

controls, while 13 seroconversions for anti-HBc occurred in 45

DUs who had refused to be vaccinated.

" On the basis of these results, " the study continued, " HBV

vaccination of DUs can be strongly recommended. Vaccination

showed a good adherence in a population difficult to treat and

can have a leading role in reducing HBV infection in DUs and

their contacts. "

The report, " Progressive Decrease of Hepatitis B in a Cohort

of Drug Users Followed over a Period of 15 Years: The Impact of

Anti-HBV Vaccination, " appeared in the Scandinavian Journal of

Infectious Diseases (2004;36(2);131-133).

[Guest guest]

CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update

Wednesday, May 12, 2004

ITALY:

" Hepatitis B Vaccine Decreases Hepatitis B Incidence in Cohort of

Drug Users "

Hepatitis Weekly (05.03.04)

Recent research from Italy showed that the incidence of

hepatitis B infection decreased, due to anti-HBV vaccination, in

a cohort of drug users followed over 15 years. " In the Western

world, " the scientists wrote, " the population at the highest risk

of HBV infection is probably that of illicit drug users (DUs).

Since 1985, the Public Health Center for Drug Users (PHCDU), in

northeastern Italy, has been asking all heroin DUs, whether in

treatment or not, to undergo screening for HIV, HBV and, since

1989, for HCV infection. Since 1988 the Center has proposed HBV

vaccination to all patients who were negative for all HBV

markers.

" From 1985 to 2001, 895 heroin DUs were screened, 726 males

and 169 females, " reported Fabio Lugoboni and colleagues at the

University of Verona. " Four hundred and forty-two (49.4 percent)

were negative to HBV markers at the first control and 72.4

percent received at least one dose of the vaccine. Three hundred

and twenty DUs were vaccinated and a total of 995 doses of

recombinant vaccine were administered. The anti-HBc antibody

appeared in 2 vaccinated patients out of 258 DUs undergoing

controls, while 13 seroconversions for anti-HBc occurred in 45

DUs who had refused to be vaccinated.

" On the basis of these results, " the study continued, " HBV

vaccination of DUs can be strongly recommended. Vaccination

showed a good adherence in a population difficult to treat and

can have a leading role in reducing HBV infection in DUs and

their contacts. "

The report, " Progressive Decrease of Hepatitis B in a Cohort

of Drug Users Followed over a Period of 15 Years: The Impact of

Anti-HBV Vaccination, " appeared in the Scandinavian Journal of

Infectious Diseases (2004;36(2);131-133).