Prevalence of hepatitis A in Iranian patients with chronic liver disease

Acute hepatitis A in patients with chronic liver diseases [CLD] may lead to a more severe outcome for which routine vaccination is recommended in many regions. Nevertheless, studies of HAV seroprevalence and exposure predictors in populations with CLD are scanty in our region. We studied 200 patients with CLD between September 2005 and September 2006. Patients were stratified on the basis of age, gender, size of family, place of residency and etiology of liver disease. The HAV seroprevalence in patients with CLD was compared with age- and sex-matched controls. Independent predictors of HAV exposure were identified by logistic regression analysis. Of 200 patients, HAV seroprevalence was available for 190 [96.5%]. Hepatitis B and C, alcohol, autoimmune hepatitis and Wilson's disease were the causes of CLD. Most of the seronegative patients aged 10-20 years. The overall HAV seroprevalence was 97.3% in controls. None of the risk factors were identified as independent predictors. Age stratified seroprevalence of HAV in patients with CLD is close to that of the general population. High prevalence of HAV must be considered in vulnerable travelers to our country

Seroprevalence of hepatitis E in patients with chronic liver disease from East Azerbaijan, Iran

Superinfection with HEV in patients with chronic liver disease [CLD] can cause severe hepatic decompensation leading to increased morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine seroprevalence of HEV infection among CLD patients compared to blood donors from Azerbaijan, north-west of Iran. CLD patients and a group of age matched blood donors with normal liver function tests were evaluated for the presence of anti-HEV IgG antibody in their sera for evidence of hepatitis E. The risk factors were estimated. The mean age of CLD patients was 48 years [range: 10-87]. 27.5% of patients were HEV IgG-positive. Among the controls 19.7% were positive for anti-HEV IgG. By multivariate analysis, there was no association between positive anti-HEV IgG and etiology of chronic liver disease, gender, literacy, accommodation, and number of family members in patients or controls. Mean age of patients infected with HEV in both groups was significantly more than the seronegative ones. We found high seroprevalence of HEV-antibody among blood donors and CLD patients in our study, so we recommend more attention to hygiene of food and water. In addition, such patients should be informed about the potential risks and simple ways to prevent the disease in their regular life and travels. This issue must be concerned in cases of "acute on chronic" hepatitis in CLD patients