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. 2007 Mar;13(1):27-33.

[The age-specific seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus antibody in Korea]

[Article in Korean]
Young Bong Song  1 , 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
Affiliations
  • PMID: 17380072

[The age-specific seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus antibody in Korea]

[Article in Korean]
Young Bong Song et al. Korean J Hepatol. 2007 Mar.

Abstract

Backgrounds and 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.

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