title: Investigation of an outbreak of hepatitis A simplified by salivary antibody testing.
abstract: In March 1988 a general practitioner notified two cases of hepatitis A in a private boarding school. Epidemiological investigation, including testing for salivary antibodies revealed a further five cases and established immunity to, and recent infection with, hepatitis A virus (HAV). The pattern of the outbreak was described. A number of practices which would encourage cross-infection were corrected. Normal human immunoglobulin was given to contacts. Repeat salivary testing 10 weeks later revealed that two more boys had become reactive for anti-HAV, though at a low titre. These may have been serological responses to HAV infection modified by the passive immunization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Odstock Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Bull
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Kimmance
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Parry
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Perry
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006507:Hepatovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M