Efficacy and Durability of Immune Response After Receipt of Hepatitis A Vaccine in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Abstract

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is a serious health concern among people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Coinfection with HAV and HIV is linked to increased hepatitis A viral load, elevated HIV RNA, and potential disruption of HIV treatment caused by liver dysfunction. Three vaccines for the prevention of HAV are currently approved for usage in the United States: 2 monovalent inactivated vaccines (hepatitis A vaccine, inactivated [GSK] and hepatitis A vaccine, inactivated [Merck]) and 1 hepatitis A (inactivated) and hepatitis B (recombinant) vaccine (GSK). Among people with HIV (PWH), seroconversion rates and antibody titers to HAV vaccines tend to be lower and less persistent than in immunocompetent individuals, with a notable difference among PWH with a lower CD4 cell count. We highlight in this review the potential need for serologic monitoring and revaccination strategies that would optimize lifelong protection against HAV in PWH.

Keywords: HIV; hepatitis A vaccines; hepatitis A virus; immunogenicity; vaccine durability.