Hepatitis A: Epidemiology, Natural History, Unusual Clinical Manifestations, and Prevention

Ameer Abutaleb; Shyam Kottilil

doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2020.01.002

Hepatitis A: Epidemiology, Natural History, Unusual Clinical Manifestations, and Prevention

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2020 Jun;49(2):191-199. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2020.01.002. Epub 2020 Mar 29.

Authors

Ameer Abutaleb¹, Shyam Kottilil²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, 725 West Lombard Street Suite, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland, 22 South Greene Street, N3W156, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
² Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, 725 West Lombard Street Suite, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

Abstract

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a positive-strand RNA virus that is transmitted feco-orally through person-to-person contact. Outbreaks are often linked to poor sanitation, overcrowding, or food and water contamination. Infection is often asymptomatic in children, but adults present with jaundice, abdominal pain, hepatitis, and hyperbilirubinemia. Diagnosis is through detection of immunoglobulin M antibodies against HAV, and treatment is supportive. Vaccination is the mainstay of prevention and should be given before exposure whenever possible.

Keywords: Acute liver failure; Hepatitis A outbreak; Hepatitis A prevention; Hepatitis A vaccine; Hepatitis A virus.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Abdominal Pain / etiology
Alanine Transaminase / blood
Anorexia / etiology
Biomarkers / blood
Hepatitis A / complications
Hepatitis A / diagnosis
Hepatitis A / epidemiology*
Hepatitis A / prevention & control*
Hepatitis A Vaccines
Humans
Jaundice / etiology
Risk
Serologic Tests / methods
Travel

Substances

Biomarkers
Hepatitis A Vaccines
Alanine Transaminase

Grants and funding

T32 DK067872/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States