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A case of acute hepatitis A infection in an HIV-positive patient despite complete hepatitis A vaccination

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Abstract

Background

Vaccination against hepatitis A virus infection is recommended for men who have sex with men and other risk groups. The protection offered by the combined hepatitis A and B vaccine is comparable to that offered by the monovalent hepatitis A vaccine.

Case

A 38-year-old HIV-positive patient presented with right upper abdominal pain, fever and jaundice. Serological work-up and detection of hepatitis A RNA in stool sample revealed an acute hepatitis A infection despite a previous complete vaccination with the combined hepatitis A and B vaccine.

Conclusion

Although the combined hepatitis A and B vaccine is associated with very good seroconversion rates, the effectiveness in HIV-positive patients is not ensured, even in cases with CD4 cell counts of > 500/μl. Therefore, regular post-vaccine testing should be encouraged to assess seroconversion in immunocompromised subjects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Rostock Medical School, Ernst-Heydemann-Str. 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany

    Carlos Fritzsche, M. Loebermann & E. C. Reisinger

Authors
  1. Carlos Fritzsche
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  2. M. Loebermann
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  3. E. C. Reisinger
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carlos Fritzsche.

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Fritzsche, C., Loebermann, M. & Reisinger, E.C. A case of acute hepatitis A infection in an HIV-positive patient despite complete hepatitis A vaccination. Infection 46, 565–567 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-018-1129-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-018-1129-1

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