Ongoing hepatitis A among men who have sex with men (MSM) linked to outbreaks in Europe in Tel Aviv area, Israel, December 2016 – June 2017

Abstract

Between December 2016 and June 2017, 19 Hepatitis A virus (HAV)-positive cases, 17 of which were among men who have sex with men (MSM) were identified in the Tel Aviv area. Seven of the 15 sewage samples collected between January and June 2017 were also HAV-positive. All sequences clustered with two of the three strains identified in the current European HAV outbreak. We demonstrate that despite an efficient vaccination programme, HAV can still be transmitted to an unvaccinated high-risk population.

Full‐genome characterization of the RIVM‐HAV16‐090‐like hepatitis A virus strains recovered from Japanese men who have sex with men, with sporadic acute hepatitis A

“…Because RIVM‐HAV16‐090‐like strains have been spreading in MSM communities worldwide, we traced the outbreaks by the RIVM‐HAV16‐090‐like strains according to documents from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (https://ecdc.europa.eu/en/home) and reports from the UK, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Taiwan, USA, Israel, and Thailand (Fig. ).…”

Serological responses to revaccination with hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccines among HIV‐positive individuals whose anti‐HAV antibody waned after primary vaccination

“…Since 2015, outbreaks of acute hepatitis A occurring among MSM in the USA, Europe, Hong Kong, Israel and Taiwan have raised concerns . Most authorities now recommend implementation of HAV vaccination among the at‐risk groups to reduce transmission of HAV and control the outbreak of acute hepatitis A .…”

“…Age, mean (SD), y 36.5 (4.9) 35.9 (5.4 Since 2015, outbreaks of acute hepatitis A occurring among MSM in the USA, Europe, Hong Kong, Israel and Taiwan have raised concerns. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Most authorities now recommend implementation of HAV vaccination among the at-risk groups to reduce transmission of HAV and control the outbreak of acute hepatitis A. 14,15 However, many clinical studies had shown lower serological response rates and reduced durability of vaccine-induced HAV immunity among the HIV-positive patients.…”

“…also reported evidence of HAV circulation among at‐risk populations even with universal toddler vaccination programmes in Israel . Since 2015, outbreaks of acute HAV infection among MSM have been reported in the USA, Europe, Hong Kong, Israel and Taiwan . Currently, most international and local guidelines recommend providing HAV vaccines to high‐risk populations such as MSM and injecting drug users (IDUs) to prevent new infections …”

“…5 Since 2015, outbreaks of acute HAV infection among MSM have been reported in the USA, Europe, Hong Kong, Israel and Taiwan. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Currently, most international and local guidelines recommend providing HAV vaccines to high-risk populations such as MSM and injecting drug users (IDUs) to prevent new infections. 14,15 The immunogenicity of standard two-dose HAV vaccination is lower among HIV-positive individuals when compared to HIV-negative individuals.…”