Volume 63 - 2000 - Fasc.1 - Expert Point of View
Hepatitis vaccination in patients with chronic liver diseases
Infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV) results in a self-limited disease, which does not become chronic. When acquired in adulthood, serious morbidity and even mortality can occur. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, in contrast, can result in chronic carriership in 5-10% of infected adult patients. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection leads to chronicity in a majority of patients. Inactivated hepatitis A vaccine and recombinant hepatitis B (HB) vaccine have been extensively studied and shown to be safe and efficacious in preventing infection. In recent years, several studies investigated the outcome of HAV or HBV infection in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and the rationale of vaccinating these patients against HAV and HBV was discussed.
