[Prevalence and incidence of hepatitis A in patients with hepatitis B and C].

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic hepatitis are in risk to acquire a fulminant hepatitis associated with hepatitis A virus superinfection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Antibodies against hepatitis A were study in serum from 353 patients with chronic hepatitis B or C.

RESULTS

The prevalence of IgG-HAV antibodies was 81% in chronic hepatitis C patients, and 77% in chronic hepatitis B patients. The presence of anti-HAV antibodies was related to the patients' age. None case of acute hepatitis A in chronic hepatitis patients was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies is high in patients with chronic viral hepatitis but the incidence of the disease is low. Hepatitis A vaccination should do with previously screening.