Prevalence of infections caused by AIDS and hepatitis B viruses in jailed people.

Prevalence of positive subjects to anti-HTLV III and HBV markers (HBsAg; anti-HBc; anti-HBs) has been studied both among jailed people and wardens of Sanremo Jail. Out of 92 subjects in custody, 11 were anti-HTLV III positive and 44 had acquired HBV infection markers (antigen and/or antibodies). One of the wardens resulted anti-HTLV III positive whilst 14 appeared to have been infected by HBV. All anti-HTLV III positive subjects, but the warden, were intravenous drug users. The study of prevalence was the first step of a perspective monitoring program in Ligurian Jails.