Document Type : Original Article (s)
Authors
1
Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2
Infectious Disease Specialist, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
3
Associate Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine AND Nosocomial Infection Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
4
Community and Preventive Medicine Specialist, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
5
Research Assistant, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
6
Technical Manager, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
7
Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Background: A number of researchers have suggested that the clinical course of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is more severe in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). However, there is not adequate information about the seroprevalence and risk factors of HAV in the population with chronic hepatitis B or C infection in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: We studied 168 patients with chronic hepatitis B or C between spring 2007 and spring 2009. Patients were stratified based on age, gender, family size, intravenous drug abuse, education, and genotype of hepatitis C. Independent predictors of HAV were identified by logistic regression analysis. Findings: Of 168 patients, 162 persons (96.4%) were HAV seropositive. We found a significant relation between genotypes of hepatitis C and HAV seropositivity (P < 0.001). Other risk factors were not identified as independent predictors. Conclusion: Considering the high seroprevalence of HAV in patients with hepatitis B or hepatitis C, general vaccination against HAV is not necessary. Further studies should be conducted to draw a firm decision on vaccination of seronegative patients. Keywords: Hepatitis A virus, Chronic liver disease, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, Patients
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