Hepatitis A: post-exposure prophylaxis.
We report on the findings of an exploratory review of evidence published in English from 1945 to identify the best post-exposure prophylaxis treatment and the longest acceptable interval after exposure for prophylaxis to be effective. We found no evidence that post-exposure administration of currently available immunoglobulins is effective in preventing hepatitis A infection and disease. The use of immunoglobulins for immunoprophylaxis should not be widely recommended until a systematic review of the evidence has been conducted. We recommend that active immunization to secondary contacts of exposed and vaccinated subjects be offered.
Taliani
Gloria
G
Clinica delle Malattie Infettive, Università di Firenze, Viale Morgagni 85, 50134 Firenze, Italy. talianig@ao-careggi.toscana.it
Gaeta
Giovanni Battista
GB
D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D006801:Humans
D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines