November 2025

Summary:

• • • Significant increase: 11 Hepatitis A infections were confirmed by PCR at the institute in 2025, compared to 5 cases in 2024 and no cases in 2023
    • Severe courses: Several patients required hospitalization, including a 64-year-old patient with fulminant Hepatitis A and acute liver and kidney failure
    • Unclear infection sources: Some cases are linked to travel abroad in Europe or North Africa, but the infection source remains unclear in several cases
    • Vaccination important: Inactivated vaccines (Havrix, Twinrix) provide reliable protection, particularly for travelers, medical personnel, and risk groups
    • Diagnostics available: IgM and IgG antibody tests as well as direct detection are performed daily at the institute and can be billed to all insurance providers

This year, our institute has confirmed eleven Hepatitis A infections by PCR to date. In comparison, five cases were detected last year and not a single case in 2023. Another interesting aspect in this context is that the majority of affected patients required inpatient admission for several days.

A 64-year-old patient developed fulminant Hepatitis A with acute liver and kidney failure, which necessitated intensive care therapy for seven days. Fortunately, the patient recovered rapidly with organ-supporting measures. Some of the cases can be traced back to stays abroad in Europe or North Africa; however, in several cases the source of infection remains unclear.

These observations once again underscore the importance of preventive immunization against Hepatitis A. The available inactivated vaccine provides reliable and long-lasting protection and can be administered both as a monovalent preparation (Havrix) and as a combination vaccine with a Hepatitis B component (Twinrix). Vaccination is particularly indicated for travelers, medical personnel, people with chronic liver diseases, as well as for other risk groups. Furthermore, Hepatitis A should continue to be consistently considered in the differential diagnosis of elevated liver enzymes or jaundice.

IgM and IgG antibody tests from serum as well as direct detection from EDTA plasma and stool are performed daily at our institute and can be billed to both social insurance providers and all hospitals.