Korean J Nosocomial Infect Control.  2009 Dec;14(2):98-102.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A Virus Antibody and Vaccination among Healthcare Workers in a Teaching Hospital

• Jeong HR
• Kim BH
• Kim HY
• Kim YK
• Uh Y
• Jin HK

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Recently, the incidence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection has been increasing in Korea, and an outbreak among healthcare workers (HCWs) has also been reported. This study aims to evaluate the seroepidemiology of hepatitis A among HCWs at an 820-bed teaching hospital in Korea, thereby facilitating HAV vaccination for these HCWs.
METHODS
In June 2009, we assessed the total immunoglobulins against the HAV in the serum samples of 907 HCWs by using VIDAS Anti-HAV Total (bioMerieux, France).
RESULTS
Seropositivity for HAV significantly increased with age (P<0.001): 0% for < or =25 years, 9.4% for 26-30 years, 39.5% for 31-35 years, 66.7% for 36-40 years, 85.7% for 41-45 years, 96.0% for 46-50 years, 98.3% for 51-55 years, 95.8% for 56-60 years, and 100% for > or =61 years.
CONCLUSION
Since HCWs aged 20-40 years show low seropositivity for HAV vaccination against hepatitis A should be considered in all these HCWs.

Keyword

Hepatitis A virus; Healthcare workers; Seroprevalence; Vaccination; Hepatitis A antibodies

MeSH Terms

Aged
Delivery of Health Care
Hepatitis
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A Antibodies
Hepatitis A virus
Hospitals, Teaching
Humans
Immunoglobulins
Incidence
Korea
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Vaccination
Hepatitis A Antibodies
Immunoglobulins