The changing pattern of hepatitis A in Lebanese adults

• This is a preliminary study to estimate the anti-HAV seroprevalence among Lebanese adults.
• The results of the study, although preliminary, reveal that young adults are becoming at risk of acquiring hepatitis A virus infection.
• This study constitutes a baseline for further anti-HAV seroprevalence studies to highlight the importance of the hepatitis A vaccine and continuous surveillance.

SummaryObjectiveA shift in the age of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection from early childhood to adulthood has been observed in many developing countries. This epidemiological shift has been attributed to improved socioeconomic status and sanitary conditions resulting in growing cohorts of susceptible young people and hence an increased risk of HAV outbreaks. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolutionary trend of anti-HAV seroprevalence in Lebanon in a cohort of Lebanese adults.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study employing a convenience sample (voluntary blood donors) along with secondary data analysis. Sera from 283 healthy blood donors were tested for anti-HAV IgG antibodies. Moreover, we analyzed the national reports of HAV cases published by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health since 2001.ResultsAnti-HAV seropositivity increased steadily from 60% in the younger age group (19–29 years) to 91% in the older age group (50–59 years), leaving the younger group at higher risk of acquiring HAV. The national data show that the number of acute hepatitis A infections is higher in the age groups 5–9 and 10–19 years.ConclusionOur seroprevalence data reveal that young adults are becoming more at risk of acquiring HAV infection. Thus the introduction of hepatitis A vaccine is highly recommended.