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[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.
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.
Background:
Patients with chronic hepatitis are in risk to acquire a fulminant hepatitis associated with hepatitis A virus superinfection.
Patients And Methods:
Antibodies against hepatitis A were study in serum from 353 patients with chronic hepatitis B or C.
Results:
The prevalence of IgG-HAV antibodies was 81% in chronic hepatitis C patients, and 77% in chronic hepatitis B patients. The presence of anti-HAV antibodies was related to the patients' age. None case of acute hepatitis A in chronic hepatitis patients was detected.
Conclusions:
The prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies is high in patients with chronic viral hepatitis but the incidence of the disease is low. Hepatitis A vaccination should do with previously screening.