Epidemiology and Infection

Table of Contents - 2002 - Volume 129, Issue 01  


An outbreak of hepatitis A among homosexuals linked to a family outbreak

K.  STENE-JOHANSEN  a1 c1, P. A.  JENUM  a2 a3, T.  HOEL  a4, H.  BLYSTAD  a3, H.  SUNDE  a5 and K.  SKAUG  a1
a1 Department of Virology, National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
a2 Fürst Medical Laboratory, Oslo, Norway
a3 Department of Bacteriology, National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
a4 Department of Vaccination, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
a5 Hedmark Central Hospital, Elverum, Norway

Abstract

Several outbreaks of hepatitis A occurred in Norway in 1995–8. Molecular epidemiology was used to follow the spread of hepatitis A virus in the population. Distinct strains of hepatitis A virus (HAV) were detected by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and subsequent sequencing in serum from patients in different communities at risk of infection. Two HAV strains were detected in an outbreak among 26 men having sexual contact with other men. One of these strains was also detected in a geographically limited family outbreak. The family outbreak was first believed to be acquired abroad. The sequence information linked the two outbreaks, and epidemiological and serological analyses revealed the transmission route. This study demonstrates the importance of molecular epidemiology in outbreak investigation, surveillance and monitoring of hepatitis A in the population.

(Accepted February 4 2002)


Correspondence:
c1 Author for correspondence: Department of Virology, National Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 4404 Nydalen, N-0403 Oslo, Norway.

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