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


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Song
Young Bong
YB
Department of Internal Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Lee
Joon Hyoek
JH
Choi
Moon Seok
MS
Koh
Kwang Cheol
KC
Paik
Seung Woon
SW
Yoo
Byung Chul
BC
Choi
Yoon-Ho
YH
Sohn
Hee Jung
HJ
Lee
Kyung Han
KH
Rhee
Jong Chul
JC
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000517:prevention & control; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D017957:Hepatitis A Virus, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies