title: [The age-specific seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus antibody in Korea].
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Young Bong
authors: YB
authors: Song
authors: Joon Hyoek
authors: JH
authors: Lee
authors: Moon Seok
authors: MS
authors: Choi
authors: Kwang Cheol
authors: KC
authors: Koh
authors: Seung Woon
authors: SW
authors: Paik
authors: Byung Chul
authors: BC
authors: Yoo
authors: Yoon-Ho
authors: YH
authors: Choi
authors: Hee Jung
authors: HJ
authors: Sohn
authors: Kyung Han
authors: KH
authors: Lee
authors: Jong Chul
authors: JC
authors: Rhee
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies