BackgroundHepatitis A virus (HAV) can cause significant pathology in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV), however, HAV can be prevented by vaccination. The aim of this study was to determine the implication of vaccination against HAV vaccine in patients with chronic hepatitis B.Materials and methodsThe seroprevalence of anti-HAV IgG antibodies was investigated in the patients with chronic hepatitis B. Anti-HAV IgG antibodies were detected by commercially available ELISA kit.ResultsA total of 673 patients (354 males, 319 females with age range of 17-78 years) with chronic hepatitis B were included the study. Hepatitis A virus seropositivity rate was 34% in the patients younger than 20 years, 79% in the age group of 20 to 29 years, and 100% after 35 years of age.DiscussionHepatitis A virus vaccination may be recommended for young adult patients with chronic hepatitis B in Turkey.How to cite this articleTulek N, Ozsoy M, Moroglu C, Sonmezer MC, Temocin F, Ertem GT, Erdinc FS. Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A Virus Antibodies among the Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B in Turkey. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2015;5(2):95-97.

ÖZETObjective: In the course of chronic hepatitis B infection, acute exacerbations characterized by high ALT and HBV DNA levels may occur. Sometimes icterus and hepatic decompensation may develop in severe cases. In this study, we evaluated characteristics of patients who were diagnosed as having acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B and the reasons that lead to exacerbation. Materials and Methods:Patients with acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B followed up in a training and research hospital clinic between 2010 and 2014, were retrospectively evaluated. Acute exacerbation was diagnosed by detection of 5-fold increase or more than twice of the previous values in ALT levels and elevation of HBV DNA (>10 5 I.U) in patients with chronic hepatitis. Age, gender, known duration of hepatitis B infection, medication, HBeAg positivity and anti-HBc IgM, ALT, AST, albumin, prothrombin time and HBV DNA levels of patients were recorded.