Epidemics of Hepatitis a and opportunities for vaccination: a focus on the category of men who practice sex with men (MSM)
Gervasi, G.; Biticchi, M.; Zaratti, L.; Franco, E.
Igiene e Sanita Pubblica 74(3): 295-304
2018
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-1639 PMID: 30235469 Document Number: 695480
Hepatitis A is an infectious disease caused by a virus (HAV), which is highly contagious and widespread all over the world. In industrialized countries, Hepatitis A is commonly considered a disease with an important socio-economic impact, as the clinical disease affects mostly young adults. After the development of a specific anti-HAV vaccine, a reduction in the incidence of Hepatitis A was observed, with a subsequent change in the prevalence of HAV. HAV spreads mainly in children and risk categories, whose work or activities or medical conditions lead to a close contact with the virus. In particular, in Men who have sex with Men (MSM) many outbreaks have been reported in the last five years. Aim of this paper is an evaluation of the recent literature about HAV infection in MSM in order to update the current guidelines on HAV procedures for MSM.