Clinical course and management of acute hepatitis A infection in adults

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis A is the most common type of viral hepatitis in Mexico. The change of hepatitis A epidemiology in Mexico from high to intermediate endemicity leads to increasing susceptible adults for severe illness.

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics and hospital outcome of adult patients with acute hepatitis A infection, and determine risk factor for mortality.

Material and methods: This is a retrospective observational, multicentre study in Mexico City and in Guatemala City. All inhospital patients were followed until discharge or death. Risk factors for death/acute liver failure were identified.

Results: Forty seven patients were analyzed, sixty percent were male, the prodrome phase was from 3 to 30 days. The three most common symptoms were fever, malaise and jaundice, with 87%, 74% and 62% respectively. The incidence of patients who were treated with antibiotics before hospital admission was up to 34%. Unnecessary imaging studies and out of guidelines drugs were used. Presence of encephalopathy, leukocytes > 19,000/mL, blood urea nitrogen > 36 mg/dL, creatinine > 2 mg/dL, albumin < 2.5 mg/dL and total bilirubin > 9.6 mg/dL, are predictors of mortality. Serum creatinine > 2 mg/dL has the best sensibility and specificity for predicting fulminant hepatitis/death.

Conclusion: Acute hepatitis A infection in adults is associated some unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Could be associated with fulminant hepatitis, and a creatinine value > 2 mg/dL is the best predictor for fulminant hepatitis and death.