Characteristics of hepatitis A on the background of chronic hepatitis B

Abstract

Aim. To characterize clinical presentation of hepatitis A on the background of chronic hepatitis B. 
 Methods. The study was conducted in 2012-2015 in Saint Petersburg Clinical infectious diseases hospital n.a. S.P. Botkin. Retrospective analysis of 259 medical records of in-patients diagnosed with hepatitis A was conducted on random samples. Etiology of the disease was confirmed with ELISA test for serological markers of hepatitis A, B and C. 
 Results. Etiological structure of hepatitis A-mixed: combination of hepatitis A + chronic hepatitis B - 74.0%, hepatitis A + chronic hepatitis B + chronic hepatitis C - 11.0%, hepatitis A + chronic hepatitis C - 8.0%, hepatitis A + chronic hepatitis of unknown etiology - 7.0%. Age differences in the groups of patients with hepatitis A were revealed: mono- and mixed infections (35.5±11.74 and 40.7±13.72 years, respectively; р=0.026). Hepatitis A had moderate course regardless of infection with other hepatotropic viruses but in 1 patient with chronic hepatitis B resulting in cirrhosis severe course of the disease lead to death. Clinical presentation of hepatitis A as mono- and mixed infection was characterized by typical symptoms. Changes in blood chemistry in mixed infection were characterized by higher cytolytic activity, hypoalbuminemia, lesser decrease of urea level. 
 Conclusion. In the etiological structure of mixed hepatitis combination of hepatitis A and chronic hepatitis B was predominant; in most cases hepatitis A had moderate course but in superinfection more severe course of the disease can be observed - up to lethal outcome.