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Investigation of an outbreak of hepatitis A simplified by salivary antibody testing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

A.R. Bull ,
K. J. Kimmance ,
J. V. Parry  and
K. R. Perry
A.R. Bull
Affiliation:
Department of Community Medicine, Odstock Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP2 8BJ
K. J. Kimmance
Affiliation:
Department of Community Medicine, Odstock Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP2 8BJ
J. V. Parry
Affiliation:
Virus Reference Laboratory, Central Public Health Laboratory, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NWP 5EQ
K. R. Perry
Affiliation:
Virus Reference Laboratory, Central Public Health Laboratory, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NWP 5EQ
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Summary

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In March 1988 a general practitioner notified two cases of hepatitis A in a private boarding school. Epidemiological investigation, including testing for salivary antibodies revealed a further five cases and established immunity to, and recent infection with, hepatitis A virus (HAV). The pattern of the outbreak was described. A number of practices which would encourage cross-infection were corrected. Normal human immunoglobulin was given to contacts.

Repeat salivary testing 10 weeks later revealed that two more boys had becomereactive for anti-HAV, though at a low titre. These may have been serologicalresponses to HAV infection modified by the passive immunization.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 103 , Issue 2 , October 1989 , pp. 371 - 376
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

References

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