[Seroepidemiology of hepatitis A virus infection in medical and nursing students. The role of vaccination].
BACKGROUND
Recent seroepidemiologic studies have demonstrated a decrease in the prevalence of hepatitis A virus infection (HAV) in relation with an improvement in hygienic conditions. The prevalence of anti-HAV in a group of health care students was studied and a vaccination program initiated in this collective.


METHODS
Serum anti-HAV determination was performed by an enzymoimmunoanalysis method. A inactivated hepatitis A vaccine was administered.


RESULTS
Only 18.5% of the subjects between 17-23 years-old presented anti-HAV antibodies. The prevalence of anti-HAV was related with age and the number of partners. All of the 129 immunized individuals responded to the HAV vaccine with protector antibody titles.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study demonstrates the decrease in HAV infection among youths as well as the immunogenicity of the anti-hepatitis A vaccine.
Buti
M
M
Servicio de Hepatología, Ciutat Sanitaria Vall d'Hebron, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona.
Campins
M
M
Jardí
R
R
Navas
E
E
Cotrina
M
M
Llobet
E
E
Vaqué
J
J
Esteban
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006507:Hepatovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013337:Students, Medical; D013338:Students, Nursing; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage
D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines
Seroepidemiología de la infección por el virus de la hepatitis A en estudiantes de medicina y enfermería. Papel de la vacunación.