Özet:

OBJECTIVE: Although Hepatitis A is generally a self-limiting infection, fulminant hepatitis is the rare and most critical complication. The risk of fulminant hepatitis increases in the presence of chronic liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis B. Therefore, it is important to investigate the immune status of patients against Hepatitis A Virus (HAV). This study targets to evaluate the HAV seroprevalence in HBsAg positive adult patients, to determine the seronegative adults and to provide immunisation of these individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The results of anti-HAV antibody (Anti-HAV IgG) were evaluated in all HBsAg positive patients aged 18 years and over who applied to the Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology outpatient clinic between 01.01.2020 and 01.01.2021. Blood samples of the patients were studied through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method based on HBsAg and anti-HAV IgG chemiluminescence. RESULTS: The research comprised of 286 participants, of which 113 (39.5%) were not screened for anti-HAV IgG. A total of 173 patients (88 females, 85 males) with HBsAg positivity and anti-HAV IgG serology aged between 24-88 years were included in the study. Anti-HAV IgG positivity was detected in total of 155 (89.6%) patients. When statistically evaluated in terms of gender, no difference was found between the two groups (p= 0.938). When the age groups were examined, anti-HAV IgG positivity was specified at the lowest rate (45.5%) in the 18-29 age group. Anti-HAV IgG positivity was detected as 100% in the 60 and over age group. CONCLUSIONS: Since HAV virus infection increases mortality and morbidity in HBsAg positive patients, it is thought that anti-HAV IgG screening and immunisation of seronegative individuals is necessary.