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. 2011 Dec;11(12):997-9.
doi: 10.5812/kowsar.1735143X.756. Epub 2011 Dec 20.

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis a in the croatian population

Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek  1 , Jasmina Kucinar, Suncanica Ljubin-Sternak, Branko Kolaric
Affiliations

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis a in the croatian population

Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek et al. Hepat Mon. 2011 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) has a worldwide distribution, although this distribution tends to be uneven among geographical regions and population groups. The prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies in the general population varies widely among countries. In Europe, the seroprevalence of HAV is reported to range from 32% to 88%.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HAV among the general Croatian population.

Materials and methods: During a 2-year period (2008-2009), a total of 791 serum samples were tested for the presence of anti-HAV total (IgM+IgG) and anti-HAV IgM antibodies using an automated enzyme-linked fluorescent assay (Mini Vidas; bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France).

Results: The overall anti-HAV seroprevalence was 41.6%. The observed difference in the seroprevalence rates among male and female patients was not statistically significant (44% vs. 39.6%, P = 0.218). A marked increase in anti-HAV seropositivity with age was observed (P < 0.001). The seroprevalence did not differ significantly between participants residing in rural regions (45.3%) and those residing in urban regions (40.6%, P = 0.292).

Conclusions: Our results corroborate those of seroprevalence studies in other developed countries. More than half of the Croatian population (59.4%) is susceptible to HAV infection. Older age is an important predictor for being anti-HAV positive.

Keywords: Croatia; Epidemiology; Hepatitis A Virus; Seroepidemiologic Studies.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of Study participants According to Age and Sex
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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