A Study on positive rate of HBs Ag, HBs Ab and anti-HCV in Korean adults

Seo, Won Tae; Lee, Seung Sei

Abstract

BACKGROUND
It is well known that Korea is one of endemic area for viral hepatitis B(HBV). The prevalence of HBsAg in general population has been reported as high as 5-12% before vaccination plan began in 1983, 7-9% after vaccination for HBV in 80th, 3-6% in 90th. The hepatitis C(HCV) is now known to be the chief cause of tranfusion-associated non-A, non-B hepatitis. As there are not sufficient information about the prevalence rate of HBV, HCV in 90th, this study was designed to investigate the positive rate of HBV, HCV and the mean prevalence rate of HBV, HCV by sex, age, year in 90th.
METHODS
From January 1993 to October 1998, HBsAg and HBsAb were checked by Radioimmunoassay technique in 132,367 adults. and from January 1995 to October 1998, anti-HCV were checked by the same technique in 86,384 adults. We have studied the positive rate of HBsAg, HBsAb and anti-HCV, which were checked by sex, age, year. Then, we have studied coinfection rate of HBV and HCV, association of blood type with HBV and HCV.
RESULTS
The positive rate of HBsAg and anti-HCV were 6.0% and 0.46%. The sex distribution of positive HBsAg showed higher in male than female. The sex distribution of positive anti-HCV showed higher in female than male. HBsAg positive rate decreased from 6.5% of 1993 to 5.2% of 1998 and anti-HCV positive rate decreased from 0.6% of 1995 to 0.2% of 1998. The positive rate of HBsAg and anti-HCV steadily decreased by years from 1993 through 1998 and from 1995 through 1998, respectively. The age distribution of positive HBsAg was higher in 4th, 5th decade and anti-HCV in 7th decade. The positive rate of anti-HCV steadily increased with age. The positive rate of HBsAb was 63.9%. Positive rate of later group(1996-1998) was lower when compared with positive rate of first half(1993-1995). In the group of positive HBsAg, the positive rate of anti-HCV was 0.35% but, in the group of negative HBsAg, the positive rate of anti-HCV was 0.41%. So, the relationship between the positive rate of HBsAg and anti-HCV were not noted. The positive rate of HBsAg and anti-HCV were not differ regarding to ABO blood type.
CONCLUSIONS
The positive rate of HBsAg and anti-HCV steadily decreased by years. This suggest that Government continues effort for control of HBV such as HBV vaccination and for control of transfusion associated HCV infection Also, this suggest that general population increase concerns in sanitation and public health.