[Hepatitis A seroprevalence in HIV-infected patients]

The authors had for aim to prospectively study the hepatitis A seroprevalence of an HIV-infected population, followed-up in an outpatient clinic (CISIH Strasbourg).

Blood tests were performed on all patients from September 2003 to March 2004 to screen for hepatitis A (total antibodies with Elisa).

The overall seroprevalence was 219/514 (56.6%), similar in male and female patients. It increased with age, especially in European patients (P = 0.003). The seroprevalence was lower in European subjects: 46.3% (while it reached 100% in sub-Saharan Africans), the prevalence was similar whatever the HIV risk group (46% in homosexual as well as in heterosexual patients, 44% in intravenous drug users). Hepatitis B or C co-infection did not increase the seroprevalence of hepatitis A. The hepatitis A seroprevalence was similar in various CD4 T cell count categories.

Our results stress the utility of hepatitis A serology in HIV-infected patients (more than 50% of European patients are non immune), and the importance of assessing hepatitis A vaccination.