Background: Hepatitis A vaccine is safe and achieves good seroconversion rates in liver (LTX) and renal (RTX) transplant recipients.
Methods: A study was performed to determine the anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibody decline in LTX and RTX patients, and in healthy controls who have been immunized with two doses of hepatitis A vaccine.
Results: LTX and RTX patients had a satisfactory seroconversion rate after complete immunisation. However, 2 years later they had experienced a much more rapid antibody decline than controls, and only 59% of LTX and 26% of RTX seroconverters showed titres above the cut-off level defined as protective.
Conclusions: Patients on immunosuppressive therapy may not be adequately protected against hepatitis A a few years after vaccination and alternative vaccination schemes may have to be considered.