[Clinical forms of hepatitis A].

INTRODUCTION: Although its incidence has decreased during the last 20 years, hepatitis A is still the most common hepatitis. In most cases, hepatitis A is asymptomatic. When it is symptomatic, the course is benign in most cases. The aim of this review is to summarize current data regarding unusual clinical forms of hepatitis A. CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS: Hepatic insufficiency is the most severe complication of hepatitis A. It is more commonly observed in adult patients. In most cases, the outcome of hepatic insufficiency is rapidly favorable. In rare cases, hepatic insufficiency progresses and encephalopathy subsequently occurs. At this stage, emergency liver transplantation may be necessary. Apart from hepatic insufficiency, the course of hepatitis A may be characterized by a relapse following initial improvement (relapsing hepatitis A) and prolonged cholestasis. FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS: In regard to patients with liver insufficiency, physicians should be educated about the need to prevent all iatrogenic factors which could impair the outcome and to maintain a situation propitious to rapid liver regeneration, a necessary condition for recovery. When this prevention fails and liver transplantation has to be considered, auxiliary transplantation should always be considered because this procedure preserves the possibility of a delayed regeneration. The justification of systematic vaccination of patients with chronic hepatitis B, who could be at higher risk for hepatic insufficiency during hepatitis A, is controversial.