Korean J Hepatol.  2011 Mar;17(1):44-50. 10.3350/kjhep.2011.17.1.44.

A nationwide seroprevalence of total antibody to hepatitis A virus from 2005 to 2009: age and area-adjusted prevalence rates

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Saeroun Internal Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 2Department of Preventive Medicine, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
  • 3Seoul Clinical Laboratories, Seoul, Korea.
  • 4Department of Pediatrics, Park Hee Bong Pediatrics, Seoul, Korea.
  • 5Department of Internal Medicine, Neane Internal Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 6Department of Pediatrics, Yoon Bo Young Seoul Pediatrics, Seoul, Korea.
  • 7Department of Pediatrics, St. Vincent's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, Korea.
  • 8Department of Internal Medicine, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Korea.
  • 9Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea. jsh@snubh.org

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Recent outbreak of hepatitis A in Korea is clearly related to the epidemiological shift of hepatitis A virus (HAV). However, nationwide seroprevalence data have been limited. This study estimated the nationwide, age- and area-adjusted anti-HAV prevalence from 2005 to 2009.
METHODS
Retrospective analysis of the results of total anti-HAV test in 25,140 cases which were requested by 1,699 medical institutions throughout the nation to Seoul Clinical Laboratory from Jan. 1 2005 to Dec. 31 2009 was performed. The estimated seroprevalence was adjusted by area and age of the standard population based on the 2005 Census data from Korea National Statistical Office.
RESULTS
The area-adjusted anti-HAV prevalence in the children younger than 10 years were 33.4% in 2005 and 69.9% in 2009. The most susceptible age groups to HAV infection during the last 5 years were teenagers and the young adults in their age of twenties. The area-adjusted seroprevalence in 2009 were 11.9% in the age group of 20-29 years, 23.4% in the age group of 10-19 years, 48.4% in the age group of 30-39 years. The population in 40-49 years showed geographically different seroprevalence with the lowest rate in Seoul (80%).
CONCLUSIONS
The most susceptible age group to HAV infection is 10-29 years, while the young children less than 10 years showed about 70% seropositivity. The changing seroepidemiology should be monitored continuously for the proper vaccination and patient care.

Keyword

Hepatitis A virus; Hepatitis A antibodies; Epidemiology; Prevalence; Korea

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Hepatitis A/*epidemiology
Hepatitis A Antibodies/*blood
Hepatitis A Virus, Human/immunology
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Seroepidemiologic Studies
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