title: Nationwide seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in South Korea in 2009 emphasizes the coexistence of HBsAg and anti-HBs.
abstract: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the major cause of chronic liver disease in Korea. This study investigated the seroprevalence of HBV infection with an emphasis on the coexistence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs). In all, 290,212 people undergoing health check-up examinations in 29 institutions during 2009 were recruited. The crude seroprevalences of HBsAg and anti-HBs was adjusted by age, sex, and geographic area using the 2009 estimated population of Korea. The adjusted seroprevalences of HBsAg and anti-HBs was 4.0% and 73.5%, respectively. Males showed higher HBsAg positivity and lower anti-HBs positivity than females (P<0.001). HBsAg positivity increased with age from 3.5% in people 20-29 years old to 4.8% in people 40-49 years old, followed by a decrease in people ≥ 50 years old. HBsAg positivity in Southern provinces (4.5%) including Jeju (5.9%), was significantly higher than that in Central provinces (3.6%; P<0.001). Interestingly, HBsAg and anti-HBs coexisted in 0.1% of the total subjects and in 2.9% of the HBsAg-positive group, showing distinct age distribution and higher alanine aminotransferase levels than those of the group positive for only HBsAg. In conclusion, the seroprevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBs in Korea varies significantly by age, sex and geographical location and coexisted in 2.9% of HBsAg-positive subjects. Continuous monitoring of seroepidemiology may facilitate the eventual eradication of HBV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Byung Seok
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yong Kyun
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Sook-Hyang
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Joon Hyeok
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Neung Hwa
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Moran
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens