Frequency of Illness Associated With Epidemic Hepatitis a Virus Infections in Adults

Abstract

Hepatitis A virus infection is often described as mild or asymptomatic, particularly in children. The failure of most adults who are found to be immune to remember symptoms of an illness suggestive of hepatitis A virus supports this belief. In 1982, two large outbreaks occurred in well documented populations of military personnel. These outbreaks were each extensively studied epidemiologically and serologically. It was found that 28/29 (96.6%) hepatitis A infections recognized prior to immune serum globulin in Outbreak A and 35/46 (76.1%) infections in Outbreak A were symptomatic. Symptomatic cases failed to occur beyond eight days of immune serum globulin administration to these predominantly susceptible groups. Between 40 and 70% of patients were icteric. Apparent contrasts in symptoms associated with hepatitis A infection in adults and children suggest a basic age-dependent difference in immune response to such infection.

Antibodies to hepatitis A virus in Italian patients with chronic liver disease

“…It remained constant from 1988 to 1990, and then increased to 6\100 000 in subsequent years [5]. This recent increase seems to be due to the widespread consumption of raw shellfish by young adults who are no longer protected against HAV [6][7][8][9][10][11]. Also in Italy, acute HAV infection in patients with pre-existing chronic hepatitis has been associated with liver failure [12].…”

Prevalência de infecção pelos vírus das hepatites A, B, C e D na demanda de um hospital no Município de Juruti, oeste do Estado do Pará, Brasil

“…La vacunación contra la hepatitis A se recomienda a partir de los 12 meses de edad, en dos dosis, con intervalo de 6 meses entre la primera y la segunda dosis, por vía intramuscular, disponible apenas en los Centros de Referencia de Inmunobiológicos Especiales (CRIE) es indicada para hepatópatas crónicos susceptibles a la hepatitis A; menores de 13 años de edad con SIDA; adultos con SIDA portadores de VHB y VHC; portadores de coagulopatías, hemoglobinopatías, enfermedades por depósito, fibrosis quística y trisomías; individuos con inmunodepresión terapéutica o enfermedad inmunodepresora; candidatos a transplante de órgano sólido, transplantados o donadores de órgano 16,17 sólido o de médula ósea . Para el Municipio de Juruti la vacunación contra la hepatitis A debe ser discutida como recurso efectivo para la prevención de la infección entre los susceptibles, principalmente entre los más ancianos, una vez que la 14,20 gravedad de la enfermedad aumenta con la edad . también es necesario dotar a la Semsa de vehículos (autos y embarcaciones), material de informática, área física y recursos humanos para el desarrollo de las actividades de vigilancia epidemiológica tales como: notificación, investigación de casos/brotes y cierre de casos.…”

Hepatitis A antibodies in liver transplant recipients: Evidence for loss of immunity posttransplantation

“…1 Mortality is seen mainly in the older population and in subjects with chronic liver disease (CLD). 2,3 The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted in the United States between 1988 and 1991, showed a seroprevalence of HAV antibodies of approximately 33%. 1 However, more recent data suggested a declining rate of infection and gradual change in the epidemiological characteristics of HAV.…”