Hepatitis A virus infection and vaccination
Journal
Journal of Internal Medicine of Taiwan
Journal Volume
29
Journal Issue
2
Pages
68-73
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Abstract
Hepatitis A is an acute inflammatory condition of the liver caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV), which is transmitted fecal-orally and has been one of the major etiologies of foodborne diseases. The effective prevention strategies, including improvement of sanitation and personal hygiene and HAV vaccination, have shifted several countries from high HAV endemicity to low endemicity. However, any introduction of HAV into the susceptible populations may potentially cause outbreaks, especially In those with risky behaviors. Since 2015, outbreaks of HAV infection have been occurring among at-risk populations in Asia-Pacific region, the United States, and several European countries. Moreover, a large-scale outbreak with more than 1400 indigenous cases of acute hepatitis A has occurred in Taiwan since June 2015. While HAV vaccination is highly immunogenic and effective in the general population, suboptimal serologic response to HAV vaccination in individuals with moderate to severe immunodeficiency has been shown in several studies. Despite the suboptimal serologic response among immunodeflcient individuals, HAV vaccination was highly effective in preventing acute HAV infection among HIV-positive patients during the outbreak in Taiwan. ? 2018 Society of Internal Medicine of Taiwan. All rights reserved.
Other Subjects
hepatitis A vaccine; acute hepatitis A; Article; endemic disease; food poisoning; Hepatitis A virus; high risk behavior; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infected patient; infection prevention; nonhuman; personal hygiene; sanitation; susceptible population; Taiwan; vaccination; virus transmission
Publisher
Society of Internal Medicine of Taiwan
Type
journal article