Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Patients Hospitalized for Hepatitis A

Letters2 March 1999Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Patients Hospitalized for Hepatitis ATarik Asselah, MD, Jacques Bernuau, MD, and Patrick Marcellin, MDTarik Asselah, MDHôpital Beaujon; Clichy 92118, France (Asselah)Hôpital Beaujon; Clichy 92118, France (Bernuau)Hôpital Beaujon; Clichy 92118, France (Marcellin)Search for more papers by this author, Jacques Bernuau, MDHôpital Beaujon; Clichy 92118, France (Asselah)Hôpital Beaujon; Clichy 92118, France (Bernuau)Hôpital Beaujon; Clichy 92118, France (Marcellin)Search for more papers by this author, and Patrick Marcellin, MDHôpital Beaujon; Clichy 92118, France (Asselah)Hôpital Beaujon; Clichy 92118, France (Bernuau)Hôpital Beaujon; Clichy 92118, France (Marcellin)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-130-5-199903020-00010 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Preexisting chronic liver disease and associated hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were suggested as factors that aggravate hepatitis A (1, 2). However, the prevalence of HCV infection in patients with serious hepatitis A is unknown. We therefore looked for HCV infection in such patients.From January 1990 to February 1998, 59 patients with hepatitis A were hospitalized at our center. On admission, 78% had severe coagulopathy (prothrombin ratio < 50%) and 49% had marked jaundice (serum bilirubin level > 170 µmol/L [9.9 mg/dL]). No patient had detectable anti-HCV antibodies or detectable serum HCV RNA.Of these patients, 14% had fulminant hepatitis ...References1. Keeffe EB. Is hepatitis A more severe in patients with chronic hepatitis B and other chronic liver diseases? Am J Gastroenterol. 1995;90:201-5. MedlineGoogle Scholar2. Vento S, Garofano T, Renzini C, Cainelli F, Casali F, Ghironzi G, et al . Fulminant hepatitis associated with hepatitis A virus superinfection in patients with chronic hepatitis C. N Engl J Med. 1998;338:286-90. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Willner IA, Uhl MD, Howard SC, Williams EQ, Riely CA, Waters B. Serious hepatitis A: an analysis of patients hospitalized during an urban epidemic in the United States. Ann Intern Med. 1998;128:111-4. LinkGoogle Scholar4. Leino T, Leinikki P, Hyypiä T, Ristola M, Suni J, Sutinen J, et al . Hepatitis A outbreak amongst intravenous amphetamine abusers in Finland. Scand J Infect Dis. 1997;29:213-6. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Mele A, Stroffolini T, Palumbo F, Gallo G, Ragni P, Balocchini E, et al . Incidence of and risk factors for hepatitis A in Italy: public health indications from a 10-year surveillance. SEIEVA Collaborating Group. J Hepatol. 1997;26:743-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Hôpital Beaujon; Clichy 92118, France (Asselah)Hôpital Beaujon; Clichy 92118, France (Bernuau)Hôpital Beaujon; Clichy 92118, France (Marcellin) PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byAcute Viral HepatitisAnti-hepatitis A virus seroprevalence among patients with chronic viral liver disease in KoreaHepatitis A virus infection in hepatitis C Brazilian patientsAcute liver failure in children: observations in Vitória, Espírito Santo State, BrazilAnti-hepatitis a virus seroprevalence and seroconversion in a cohort of patients with chronic viral hepatitisHepatitis VaccinesHepatitis A: Old and New 2 March 1999Volume 130, Issue 5Page: 451KeywordsAntibodiesBilirubinChronic liver diseaseCoagulopathyHepatitisHepatitis AHepatitis A virusHepatitis C virusInfectious diseasesRNA Issue Published: 2 March 1999 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1999 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...