| The Age-specific Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A Virus Antibody in Korea |
| Young Bong Song , Joon Hyoek Lee , Moon Seok Choi , Kwang Cheol Koh , Seung Woon Paik , Byung Chul Yoo , Yoon Ho Choi , Hee Jung Sohn , Kyung Han Lee , Jong Chul Rhee |
| Department of Internal Medicine, and 1Nuclear Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea |
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| ABSTRACT |
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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. (Korean J
Hepatol 2007;13:27-33) |
| KeyWords:
Hepatitis A; Seroepidemiologic study; Hepatitis A Antibodies; Korean |
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