[Vaccination in patients with cirrhosis]

Presse Med. 2009 Jul-Aug;38(7-8):1134-40. doi: 10.1016/j.lpm.2008.11.015. Epub 2009 Jan 29.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Patients with cirrhosis are immunocompromised and have an increased risk of infection, with a worse outcome. Some of those infections may be prevented by vaccination. Immunization can reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with cirrhosis. Immunizations against hepatitis A and B viruses, influenza and pneumococcus are recommended by the French Haute Autorité de Santé since 2007. Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended in non-immunized cirrhotic patients. Vaccination against hepatitis B is recommended in every cirrhotic patient with no serological markers, and post-vaccinal antibodies titer should be checked. Annual influenza immunization can be done in cirrhotic patients, and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination should be repeated after 5 years. Few data regarding vaccination coverage are available, but studies suggest that immunization rates are too low in this population.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Fibrosis / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis A / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis A / prevention & control
  • Hepatitis A Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Hepatitis B / prevention & control
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data*

Substances

  • Hepatitis A Vaccines
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines