Prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis A virus among new immigrants in Israel

Abstract

Israel, located in a region endemic for hepatitis A virus (HAV), recently absorbed a large population of immigrants who came from the former USSR. To assess the risk of high morbidity in this population a serosurvey of HAV antibodies was undertaken. Serum samples were collected from 965 new immigrants, of whom 664 came from the European, non-endemic region, and 301 from the Asian and Caucasian endemic regions of the former Soviet Union. They were compared to 240 Israelis. Each population was divided into six age groups: 1-9, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50 years of age and older. The Asian/Caucasian immigrants and the Israeli population were found to share similar characteristics. In both groups, antibodies to HAV (anti-HAV) were present in the 1-9-year-old age group and reached maximum prevalence (90% and 86.7%, respectively) in the 20-29-year-old age group. In contrast, among the European immigrants anti-HAV was first found in the 10-19-year-olds and peaked (93%) in the age group of 50 years and older. It is concluded that immigrants originating from the European part of the former USSR may require vaccination against hepatitis A.

Routine testing for IgG antibodies against hepatitis A virus in Israel

“…Many of the patients were ultra-orthodox Yeshiva students who are at greater risk for HAV infection [7] and are not drafted into the IDF. At the same time, the higher rate of seropositivity among immigrants from Eastern bloc countries is consistent with the findings of an earlier study of this population [8], though another study of pre-draft teenagers did not find a significant difference between these immigrants and native Israelis [9]. …”

The epidemiology of hepatitis A infection in Palestine: a universal vaccination programme is not yet needed

“…Israel has launched a successful surveillance and prophylaxis programme to control HAV infection in the army. The programme achieved a considerable decline in the seroprevalence over a relatively short period [26][27][28][29][30][31]. Whether or not the West Bank has witnessed similar developments in the epidemiology of HAV is an issue for further research.…”

Hepatitis A vaccination

“…[71][72][73] Interference with the antibody response is more obvious among infants whose mothers have immunity after natural infection (versus postvaccination). 74 Finally, according to previous studies, the immunogenicity of HepA is consistent across ethnic groups and races. 75,76 Safety following HepA vaccination Excellent safety has been documented for HepA-I and HepA-L in both children and adults.…”