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Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
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Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA

Published on: December 15, 2023

[Prevalence and incidence of hepatitis A in patients with hepatitis B and C]

G Olivé1, M Buti, J Ignacio Esteban

  • 1Servicio de Hepatología. Hospital General Universitario Vall d'Hebron. Barcelona.

Medicina Clinica
|October 3, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Patients with chronic viral hepatitis have high rates of Hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies but low incidence of acute Hepatitis A. Screening before Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for this population.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Context:

  • Patients with chronic hepatitis B or C face risks of severe illness from Hepatitis A virus superinfection.
  • Understanding Hepatitis A virus (HAV) seroprevalence is crucial for managing chronic viral hepatitis patients.

Purpose:

  • To determine the prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies in patients with chronic hepatitis B or C.
  • To assess the risk of acute Hepatitis A in this vulnerable patient group.

Summary:

  • A study of 353 patients with chronic hepatitis B or C found high prevalence of IgG-HAV antibodies (81% in Hepatitis C, 77% in Hepatitis B).
  • Anti-HAV antibody presence correlated with patient age.
  • No cases of acute Hepatitis A were observed in the studied chronic hepatitis patients.

Impact:

  • High seroprevalence suggests widespread prior HAV exposure in chronic hepatitis patients.
  • The low incidence of acute Hepatitis A indicates effective immunity despite chronic liver disease.
  • Hepatitis A vaccination strategies for chronic hepatitis patients should incorporate pre-vaccination screening for existing immunity.
Abstract

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