| An epidemiologic study on the seropositive rate of hepatitis A virus among a selected group of children and adults in Busan |
|
Young Ok Kwon, Im Jeong Choi, Jin Wha Jung, Ji Hyun Park |
|
Department of Pediatrics, Maryknol Hospital, Busan, Korea |
| 부산지역 소아 및 성인의 A형 간염 바이러스 항체 양성률에 대한역학적 조사 |
|
권영옥, 최임정, 정진화, 박지현 |
|
메리놀병원 소아과 |
Correspondence:
Im Jeong Choi, Email: whiteij@daum.net
|
|
|
|
|
| Abstract |
Purpose
: The prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in a certain community reflects that community's living standards and hygienic conditions. And the pattern of HAV infection differs over time and geography. Recently, a shift in prevalence has been observed in cases from chilhood to adulthood. We studied the HAV antibody prevalence in the general population in Busan.
Methods
: From October 2004 to March 2005, total 472 subjects were tested for HAV antibodies. All samples were collected from patients in Maryknol Hospital.
Results
: The overall seropositive rate was 22.8% (108/472). The seropositive rates were 1.7% in subjects aged 2-5 years, 1.7% in 6-10 years, 0% in 11-20 years, 40.5% in 21-30 years, 82.1% in 31- 40 years, 94.7% in 41-50 years, and 100% in subjects aged over 50 years. There was no significant gap between gender groups.
Conclusion
: As the socioeconomic conditions in Korea have improved, the HAV seropositive rate in school-aged children has dramatically decreased in the last 20 years. But, the seropositive rate of HAV didn't differ according to gender. The seropositive rate of HAV in the pediatric group was very low, which suggests the increasing possibility of clinical HAV infection in adults in the near future. Therefore, we should actively prevent the spread of hepatits A virus. In order to do that, we need to reorganize our lifestyle and personel hygiene and carry out active and passive immunization to high risk groups. |
| Key Words:
Hepatitis A , Seroepidemiologic study |
|
PDF Links
Download Citation
