Clinical and Molecular Hepatology (대한간학회지)

The Korean Association for the Study of the Liver (대한간학회)
권호 표지

The Age-specific Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A Virus Antibody in Korea

한국인 건강검진자에서 연령 특이적 A형간염바이러스 항체 혈청 양성률

Song, Young-Bong;Lee, Joon-Hyoek;Choi, Moon-Seok;Koh, Kwang-Cheol;Paik, Seung-Woon;Yoo, Byung-Chul;Choi, Yoon-Ho;Sohn, Hee-Jung;Lee, Kyung-Han;Rhee, Jong-Chul
송영봉;이준혁;최문석;고광철;백승운;유병철;최윤호;손희정;이경한;이종철

  • Published : 2007.03.25
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Abstract

Backgrounds/Aims: The epidemiology of hepatitis A is associated with socioeconomic and hygiene status. Recently, the prevalence of hepatitis A in young adults has been steadily increasing in Korea. This study is to investigate the age-specific seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus in Korea. Methods: Stored sera from 250 healthy adult subjects who visited the health promotion center in Samsung Medical Center between July and August 2006 were tested for IgG hepatitis A virus antibody (anti-HAV). Results: The prevalence of anti-HAV was 2%, 72%, 92%, 94%, 100% in 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s, respectively. The prevalence of anti-HAV was significantly lower in subjects below age 40 compared to those above 40 (37.0% vs. 95.3%, p<0.001). The seroprevalence was higher in area outside of Seoul compared to those living in Seoul in age group below 40 (25.6% vs. 55.6%, p=0.01). In Seoul area, the prevalence was significantly lower in Kangnam-Gu, Seocho-Gu, and Songpa-Gu district compared to the other areas of Seoul in the age group below 40 (20.0% vs. 42.1%, p<0.05). Conclusion: The seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus antibody in Korean population below 40 is quite low and immunity to hepatitis A virus in those subjects can be a public health issue. In view of changing seroepidemiology, a policy for hepatitis A vaccination in population below 40 might be warranted.

Keywords

References

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