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[Prevalence of anti-hepatitis A in patients with chronic liver disease]
Insights
A study found 75.2% of patients with chronic liver disease have hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies. Testing for anti-HAV before vaccination is recommended for this high-prevalence group.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Context:
- The availability of an effective hepatitis A vaccine necessitates understanding population immunity.
- Patients with chronic liver disease, particularly from hepatitis B and C, are a key demographic for vaccination strategies.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of antibodies against the hepatitis A virus (HAV) in patients with chronic liver disease due to hepatitis B and C.
- To inform vaccination strategies by assessing existing immunity within this patient group.
Summary:
- A seroprevalence study examined 425 patients (mean age 40) with chronic viral liver disease.
- Global antibodies against HAV were detected in 75.2% of patients, with prevalence increasing with age (20% at 19 years to 93% over 40).
- Prevalence was independent of sex, parenteral history, drug addiction, or hepatitis B/C infection status.
Impact:
- The high prevalence of existing anti-HAV antibodies supports pre-vaccination screening in this population.
- Recommendations are made for determining anti-HAV status prior to hepatitis A vaccination in patients with chronic viral liver diseases, based on cost-benefit analyses and high seroprevalence.
Abstract:
The recent availability of an effective vaccine for preventing hepatitis A has led to the performance of a prevalence study of antibodies versus the hepatitis A virus (HAV) in our patients with chronic liver disease by hepatitis B and C, as a step prior to vaccination. The sera of 425 patients with a mean age of 40 years was studied, with the global antibodies versus HAV being determined (Abbott). The prevalence was to 75.2% varying from 20% at 19 years to 93% in those over the age of 40. The prevalence was not related to sex, previous parenteral history, or drug addiction or infection by hepatitis B or C. Due to previous cost-benefit studies and the high prevalence found, the determination of anti-HAV in patients with chronic viral liver diseases prior to vaccination against HAV is recommended.