Seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus antibodies among a sample of Egyptian children

We determined the seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus antibodies [HAV Ab] among 296 Egyptian children aged 2.5-18 years of different social classes to ascertain whether to give HAV vaccine early in life or to leave children to acquire natural immunity. Overall 61.4% were seropositive for HAV Ab. There was a significant increase in the seroprevalence of HAV Ab with higher age and lower social class; in children aged < 6 years, 72.7% of high and 19.0% of low social class were seronegative for HAV Ab. A national vaccination programme for HAV is not a priority. We recommend vaccination against hepatitis A for high social class children at the preschool period without testing for HAV. Vaccination for middle social class children can be done, but only after testing for HAV

Cost-effectiveness of prescreening versus empirical vaccination for hepatitis A in Egyptian children with chronic liver disease

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of anti-hepatitis A virus [anti-HAV] antibodies among 172 children with chronic liver disease, and to calculate the cost- effectiveness of prescreening prior to hepatitis A vaccination. Anti-HAV antibodies were positive in 85.1%. However, seroprevalence of anti-HAV antibodies was 62.1% in children < 5 years and 94.4% in children 5+ years. We conclude that while it is cost-effective to do prescreening before hepatitis A vaccination for children with chronic liver disease aged 5+ years, prescreening might not be cost-effective in those aged < 5 years

Prevalence of hepatitis A IgG in individuals with chronic hepatitis B infection in Babol

To determine the prevalence of previous hepatitis A virus [HAV] infection in people chronically infected with hepatitis B virus [HBV], we assessed the prevalence of anti-HAV IgG in 392 patients. The study was carried out in Babol, northern Islamic Republic of Iran from September 2004 to March 2005. Prevalence in those aged 10-19 years was 59.4% and was significantly lower than that in those aged 20-29 years [89.8%] and those over 29 years [97.5%]. There was no significant difference in prevalence according to sex or place of residence. A significant proportion of Iranian adolescents and young adults with chronic HBV infection are at risk of contracting HAV infection