Impact of occult HBV infection in HIV/HCV co-infected patients: HBV-DNA detection in liver specimens and in serum samples.

Prevalence and impact of occult HBV infection in HIV positive patients is controversial. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of occult HBV infection and its impact on histological and virological parameters. 52 HIV/HCV (but HBsAg-negative) co-infected patients, 29 HBsAg and anti-HCV negative chronic hepatitis, and 20 HBsAg positive chronic hepatitis controls were studied.

Hepatitis C virus infection in spouses: sexual transmission or common exposure to the same risk factors?

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) between spouses occurs through sexual contact or through other types of exposure.

Methods: We consecutively enrolled 311 chronic HCV carriers and their spouses. The spouses underwent HCV blood testing.

Usefulness of human papilloma virus testing in the screening of cervical cancer precursor lesions: a retrospective study in 314 cases.

Objective: To assess the usefulness of human papilloma virus (HPV) typing for predicting pre-malignant and malignant cervical lesions.

Study Design: 314 women, who underwent colposcopy, biopsies and high and low-risk HPV typing after a confirmed abnormal routine Pap test were studied. HPV-DNAs were typed by using PCR technique.

Molecular characterisation of HCV genotype 4 isolates circulating in Italy.

The characteristics of genotype 4 subtype variability of HCV isolates circulating in Italy were studied. The viral isolates were identified from 736 HCV-RNA positive sera originated from seroepidemiological studies undertaken in 4 different regions of North, South Italy and Sardinia. 24 out of 28 genotype 4 isolates (86%) were classified by phylogenetic analysis of E1 genome region (915-1128) as belonging to subtype 4d (Neighbour Joining Method).