SEROPREVALENCE OF ANTIBODIES TO HEPATITIS -A AMONG HOMOSEXUAL MEN ANDINTRAVENOUS-DRUG-USERS IN FRANCE

Objectives: In industrialized countries with a high level of sanitatio n, immunity against hepatitis A (HVA) is not acquired during childhood , and infection typically occurs in adults, mainly in travelers return ing from developing countries where infection is endemic. However, the introduction of hepatitis A virus (HAV) among certain population grou ps, such as intravenous drug abusers (IVDU) or homosexual men, leads t o a significant increase in the disease. We conducted a retrospective analysis of seroprevalence of anti-HAV antibodies. Methods: The study group included 296 patients (174 homosexual men and 122 IVDU) for comp arison with 76 control subjects (nurses in pediatric wards and workers in hospital kitchen). Results: We found a significantly higher anti-H AV seroprevalence among less than 35-year old IVDU, HIV positive or ne gative, in comparison with control subjects but not among homosexual m en, whatever their HIV status. Conclusion: Our experience illustrates that HVA is a health risk for IVDU in industrialized nations, and give n its morbidity among adults population, IVDU should receive HVA vacci ne.