Brief Article
Copyright ©2010 Baishideng. All rights reserved
World J Gastroenterol. Mar 7, 2010; 16(9): 1115-1118
Published online Mar 7, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i9.1115
Laboratory characteristics of recent hepatitis A in Korea: Ongoing epidemiological shift
Hee Won Moon, Jin Hee Cho, Mina Hur, Yeo-Min Yun, Won Hyeok Choe, So Young Kwon, Chang Hong Lee
Hee Won Moon, Jin Hee Cho, Mina Hur, Yeo-Min Yun, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Konkuk University Medical Center, 4-12, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-729, South Korea
Won Hyeok Choe, So Young Kwon, Chang Hong Lee, Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Konkuk University Medical Center, 4-12, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-729, South Korea
Author contributions: Moon HW analyzed the data and wrote the paper; Cho JH collected and analyzed the data; Choe WH, Kwon SY and Lee CH provided the clinical data and reviewed the paper; Hur M reviewed the paper; Yun YM performed the study and was involved in its design.
Supported by Konkuk University
Correspondence to: Yeo-Min Yun, MD, PhD, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Konkuk University Medical Center, 4-12, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-729, South Korea. doctory@paran.com
Telephone: +82-2-20305582 Fax: +82-2-20305587
Received: November 13, 2009
Revised: January 8, 2010
Accepted: January 15, 2010
Published online: March 7, 2010
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibody and investigate demographic, clinical, and laboratory features of recent cases in Korea.

METHODS: For the evaluation of hepatitis A seroprevalence, we analyzed the data from 3127 subjects including, healthcare workers and patients who visited Konkuk University Hospital, a secondary referral center, from January to October 2009. The sera with positive IgM were excluded from seroprevalence data for total HAV antibody. We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 419 patients with HAV, who were diagnosed by the presence of serum IgM antibodies against HAV. All patients presented at Konkuk University Hospital between August 2005 and September 2008.

RESULTS: Among 3127 sera tested, 1428 (45.7%) were positive for anti-HAV antibody. The seroprevalence was very low in teenagers or those in their twenties, increased in those in their thirties, and was > 90% in older patients. In children younger than 10 years, seroprevalence was increased again. Most patients with HAV hepatitis were in their twenties and thirties. The γ-glutamyl transpeptidase increased with age and was significantly higher in patients older than 30 years. Indicators of severity, such as decreased albumin and increased bilirubin, were also more prominent in the older age group; however, the leukocyte count was higher and the frequency of leukopenia was lower in younger patients than in older adults.

CONCLUSION: There has been an apparent epidemiological shift in HAV seroprevalence and a change in the peak age of HAV hepatitis. This study could provide baseline data of recent hepatitis A in Asia.

Keywords: Hepatitis A virus; Seroprevalence; Epidemiology; Korea