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. 1994 Aug;113(1):113–120. doi: 10.1017/s0950268800051529

Age-specific antibody prevalence to hepatitis A in England: implications for disease control.

N J Gay 1, P Morgan-Capner 1, J Wright 1, C P Farrington 1, E Miller 1
PMCID: PMC2271233  PMID: 8062867

Abstract

Sera from an age-stratified sample of 7196 individuals, submitted for diagnostic purposes to four public health laboratories in England in 1986/7, were tested for hepatitis A antibody. The serological profiles, which showed marked regional differences, were consistent with declining incidence in the past. The decline in the incidence of hepatitis A has resulted in an increase in susceptibility in adults. This has three main consequences: an increase in the average age of infection may be leading to an increase in morbidity; normal immunoglobulin may become less protective against hepatitis A; the risk of transmission through blood products contaminated by viraemic blood donors may rise. Current average annual incidence in 5-14-year olds was estimated to vary between regions from 0.5-1.9%. This supports the view that, in the absence of a vaccination programme, hepatitis A will remain endemic unless there are further improvements in living conditions and standards of hygiene. A vaccine giving long-lasting protection could eliminate hepatitis A transmission with modest coverage at a young age. Targeting childhood vaccination on economically deprived areas or using vaccine to control outbreaks might be more effective policies.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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