title: A survey on the status of hepatitis e virus infection among slaughterhouse workers in South Korea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) among high-risk groups overseas is high, but studies in these groups are rare in South Korea. We conducted the present study from April to November 2012 to obtain data on the seroprevalence and associated risk factors for HEV among slaughterhouse workers in South Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  Slaughterhouse workers from 80 workplaces nationwide were surveyed in South Korea in 2012. The subjects comprised 1848 cases: 1434 slaughter workers and 414 residual products handlers. By visiting 80 slaughterhouses, which were mixed with 75 of which also performed residual products handling, we conducted a questionnaire survey for risk factors and obtained blood samples in order to determine the seropositivity and seroprevalence of HEV. Anti-HEV IgG and IgM were measured using HEV IgG and IgM enzyme-linked immunospecific assay kits and HEV antigen was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The seropositivity of anti-HEV IgG was 33.5% (slaughter workers 32.8% and residual products handlers 36.2%), and among the seropositive individuals the seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgM was 0.5% (slaughter workers 0.5%, residual products handlers 0.7%). The response rate of HEV-antigen as measured by RT-PCR was 0.2%. Risk factors significantly related to anti-HEV IgG seropositivity were age, sex , and working duration (slaughter workers only).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There were significant risk factors (sex, age, and working duration) for HEV identified in our study. All three positive cases for HEV-antigen by RT-PCR were related to pig slaughter but without statistical significance. To prevent HEV, an educational program and working guidelines may be needed for high risk groups.
authors: Department of Preventive Medicine, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju, Korea.
authors: Byung-Seok
authors: BS
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Preventive Medicine, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju, Korea.
authors: Hyun-Sul
authors: HS
authors: Lim
authors: Department of Preventive Medicine, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju, Korea.
authors: Kwan
authors: K
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Preventive Medicine, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju, Korea.
authors: Young-Sun
authors: YS
authors: Min
authors: Division of Vaccine Research, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Korea.
authors: Young-Sil
authors: YS
authors: Yoon
authors: Division of Vaccine Research, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Korea.
authors: Hye-Sook
authors: HS
authors: Jeong
mesh_terms: D000003:Abattoirs; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M
keywords: Hepatitis E; Risk factors; Seroprevalence; Slaughterhouse; Zoonoses
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