Hepatitis A historical perspective
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Hepatitis A virus was first identified in 1973. The incidence of hepatitis A varies among eras, countries and even cities within the same country. In recent years it has been noted a shift in prevalence, what was once a disease more prevalent in children, is today predominant in adults. In the prevaccine era, the majority of U.S. cases of hepatitis A resulted from person-to-person transmission of HAV during communitywide outbreaks. With the licensure of inactivated hepatitis A vaccines by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during 1995-1996, hepatitis A became a disease that was not only common but also vaccine-preventable.
Historical Perspective
Hepatitis A virus was first identified in 1973. It was classified as a separate disease from other types of hepatitis during World War II. However, its true prevalence and route of transmission would only be recognized later.[1]
The incidence of hepatitis A varies among eras, countries and even cities within the same country. In recent years it has been noted a shift in prevalence, what was once a disease more prevalent in children, is today predominant in adults.
The measurement of anti-HAV antibodies is the best definition of the disease's true epidemiology.
The resistance of the virus allows it to survive in urban sewage. Accordingly, outbreaks of the disease occur in overcrowded areas where there is poor sanitation. Improvements made throughout the years have decreased the incidence of the infection in new infants, which has led to an increasing number of adults with hepatitis A. Hepatitis A epidemiology in the United States has fundamentally changed with licensure of hepatitis A vaccine and implementation of national ACIP recommendations for its use.
Today transmission of the virus through blood is rare, however, some risk groups such as IV drug users and their care takers are still infected by this route.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Melnick JL (1995). "History and epidemiology of hepatitis A virus". J Infect Dis. 171 Suppl 1: S2–8. PMID [ 7876643 [ Check
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