Outbreak of acute hepatitis A associated with men who have sex with men (MSM) in North Sardinia 2017-2018

Riccardo Bazzardi; Elena Dore; Massimo Ciccozzi; Alessia Lai; Margherita Pisanu; Sergio Babudieri; Ivana Maida

doi:10.3855/jidc.12184

Outbreak of acute hepatitis A associated with men who have sex with men (MSM) in North Sardinia 2017-2018

Authors

Riccardo Bazzardi Controllo Microbiologico e Ispezione degli Alimenti – Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna “G. Pegreffi”, Sassari, Italia
Elena Dore Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical, and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
Massimo Ciccozzi Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
Alessia Lai Infectious Diseases and Immunopathology Section, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Margherita Pisanu Controllo Microbiologico e Ispezione degli Alimenti – Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna “G. Pegreffi”, Sassari, Italia
Sergio Babudieri Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical, and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
Ivana Maida Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical, and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.12184

Keywords:

hepatitis A virus, MSM, AHA, risk factors

Abstract

Introduction: We describe an outbreak of hepatitis A among men who have sex with men (MSM) which evolved in Sassari (Italy), between January 2017 and December 2018, close to a contextual of large concurrent hepatitis A outbreak reported in Europe and recently, in Italy.

Methodology: HAV RNA detection and molecular characterization was performed from serum samples and/or stool by RT - PCR of VP1/2A junction region that ranges from nt. 2,873 to nt. 3,376. The phylogenetic correlation of the circulating hepatitis A strains was assessed by sequencing method according to the HAVNET protocol.

Results: 10 Acute Hepatitis A virus (AHA)-positive cases, 8 of which were among men who have sex with men (MSM) were identified. All patients were tested at the time of hospitalization for the presence of anti-HIV antibodies, only two MSM resulted co-infected by HIV. No differences were observed in median age (37 years vs. 41 years, P-value = 0.14), severity or duration of hospitalization between seropositive and HIV-negative men. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted in 2 cases and revealed two distinct sequences of genotype IA linking to clusters recognized in MSM in other European countries in 2016.

Conclusion: Our study reported a recent increase of notified hepatitis A cases attributable to cases in the European interconnectedness of MSM in Sassari, a small locality. Hepatitis A vaccination for MSM in Sardinia region is recommended; however, our data emphasize the need of hepatitis A screening and vaccination not only for MSM with occasional partners but also for those in monogamous relationships.

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Published

2020-09-30

How to Cite

Bazzardi R, Dore E, Ciccozzi M, Lai A, Pisanu M, Babudieri S, Maida I (2020) Outbreak of acute hepatitis A associated with men who have sex with men (MSM) in North Sardinia 2017-2018. J Infect Dev Ctries 14:1065–1070. doi: 10.3855/jidc.12184

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Issue

Vol. 14 No. 09: September 2020

Section

Brief Original Articles

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