Disease-modifying effects of postexposure hepatitis A active immunization.
BACKGROUND
Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of hepatitis A virus (HAV) active vaccine in the prevention of secondary HAV infection when administered shortly after exposure.


METHODS
We describe six new recruits with unknown HAV infection, of whom three received late postexposure prophylaxis with the active HAV vaccine and three were not vaccinated.


RESULTS
Results indicated that the vaccinated patients had a longer period from exposure to onset of symptoms (p < 0.05), shorter hospitalization, and lower liver enzyme levels.


CONCLUSIONS
It appears that late administration of the active HAV vaccine has a disease-modifying effect. These findings, combined with earlier reports, may have important implications for immunization policies.
Mimouni
Daniel
D
Department of Dermatology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva, Israel 49100.
Bar-Zeev
Yael
Y
Davidovitch
Nadav
N
Zarka
Salman
S
D000328:Adult; D018890:Chemoprevention; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014611:Vaccination
D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines