Korean J Intern Med.  2019 Nov;34(6):1297-1303. 10.3904/kjim.2017.293.

Seropositive rate of the anti-hepatitis A immunoglobulin G antibody in maintenance hemodialysis subjects from two hospitals in Korea

Affiliations
  • 1Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon, Korea.
  • 2Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cheju Halla Hospital; Jeju, Korea.
  • 3Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea. jwn8671@unitel.co.kr
  • 4Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hwaseong, Korea.
  • 5Laboratory Medicine, Green Cross Laboratories, Youngin, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a self-limiting infectious disease, but 1% of subjects develop fulminant hepatitis. The prevalence of the anti-HAV immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody in hemodialysis subjects in Korea remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the seropositive rate of anti-HAV antibody among hemodialysis subjects in two hospitals according to age group.
METHODS
A total of 170 hemodialysis subjects were evaluated for the seropositive rate of the anti-HAV IgG antibody and its titer.
RESULTS
Of the 170 maintenance hemodialysis subjects in two hospitals (Kangnam 92 vs. Chuncheon 78), 79 (46.5%) were male. The mean age was 53.2 years old, and 94.1% of the subjects were over 40 years old. The median vintage of hemodialysis was 29.0 months. Anti-HAV antibody was found in 163 subjects (95.9%), with no significant difference between the two areas (Kangnam 97.8% [n = 90] vs. Chuncheon 93.6% [n = 73]). Subjects younger than 40 years old showed a seropositive rate of 50%, while the seropositive rate increased with age for subjects aged 40 or older (p for trend < 0.001). Seropositive subjects from Kangnam showed a higher anti-HAV antibody titer than those from Chuncheon (median: Kangnam 14.2 vs. Chuncheon 11.7). Only age influenced seropositivity. The only factor that influenced the antibody level was the location of hospital (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The seropositive rate of the anti-HAV antibody in hemodialysis subjects was 95%, which is similar to findings in the general population. Active immunization against hepatitis A is strongly recommended for hemodialysis subjects under 40 years of age after anti-HAV testing.

Keyword

Hepatitis A antibodies; Antibody titer; Hemodialysis; Seroepidemiologic studies

MeSH Terms

Communicable Diseases
Gangwon-do
Hepatitis
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A Antibodies
Hepatitis A virus
Humans
Immunoglobulin G*
Immunoglobulins*
Korea*
Male
Prevalence
Renal Dialysis*
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Vaccination
Hepatitis A Antibodies
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulins
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