Molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic analysis of Hepatitis B virus in a group of migrants in Italy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) is widespread and it is considered a major health problem worldwide. The global distribution of HBV varies significantly between countries and between regions of the world. Among the many factors contributing to the changing epidemiology of viral hepatitis, the movement of people within and between countries is a potentially important one. In Italy, the number of migrant individuals has been increasing during the past 25 years. HBV genotype D has been found throughout the world, although its highest prevalence is in the Mediterranean area, the Middle East and southern Asia. We describe the molecular epidemiology of HBV in a chronically infected population of migrants (living in Italy), by using the phylogenetic analysis.

Methods

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SUBMITTER: Villano U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4514992 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature