BACKGROUND: Hepatitis A and B can be prevented by active immunization. The purpose of our study was to estimate the prevalence of viral markers of hepatitis A, B, and C among medical students, to assess the efficacy of vaccination against HBV infection after 4 years, and to evaluate the efficacy of vaccination against HAV infection. MATERIAL/METHODS: The study group consisted of 150 medical students, who were vaccinated with Engerix(tm) B at the beginning of medical studies. From this population we identified a subgroup of 45 students, in whom the presence of anti-HAV was not confirmed; they were then vaccinated with HAVRIX(tm) 1440. Viral markers for HAV, HBV, HCV were determined in this group. RESULTS: In the group of 150 persons, we found anti-HBc in 8 students (5.3%), and HBsAg in 1 (0.7%), who did not have either HBeAg or anti-HBe. Anti-HBs antibodies were found in 146 students (97.3%); anti-HCV in 3 cases (2%), and anti-HAV in 15 cases (10%). After 2-fold vaccination against viral hepatitis A, 100% of the students presented with anti-HAV. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of HBsAg and anti-HCV among our students is the same as in the general population, while the incidence of anti-HAV is much lower (10%). The presence of anti-HBs 4 years after vaccination was detected in 97.3% of the students, and anti-HAV 1 month after the complete course of vaccination in 100% of cases.

Keywords: Hepatitis A Vaccines - immunology, Hepatitis A Vaccines - therapeutic use, Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - analysis, Hepatitis B Vaccines - therapeutic use, Hepatitis Viruses - metabolism