Prevalence of hepatitis A in Iranian patients with chronic liver disease

Background: 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. Patients and methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.