BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in South Korea have been organizing hepatitis B virus (HBV) vertical infection prevention projects since July 2002. In this single-institute study, the results of surveys conducted in target mothers who delivered babies in a tertiary hospital were investigated and analyzed. METHODS: Of the 9,281 mothers and their 9,824 neonates born between July 2002 and December 2012, 308 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive mothers and their 319 neonates were selected for this study, and their records were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 308 mothers were HBsAg-positive, with an HBV prevalence of 3.32% (308/9,281). There were 319 neonates born to these HBsAg-positive mothers, and 252 were confirmed to as either HBsAg-positive or -negative. Four were confirmed as HBsAg-positive, with a 1.59% (4/252) HBV vertical infection rate. All the mothers of neonates who had an HBV vertical infection were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive. Among the HBsAg-positive neonates, three were HBeAg-positive and had an HBV DNA titer of 1.0 x 10(8) copies/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The HBV prevalence of mothers was 3.32% (308/9,281), and their vertical infection rate was 1.59% (4/252). Thus, the South Korean HBV vertical infection prevention projects are effective, and, accordingly, HBV prevalence in South Korea is expected to decrease continuously.
Adult ; Biological Markers/blood ; DNA, Viral/blood ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Hepatitis B/blood/diagnosis/epidemiology/prevention & control/*transmission/virology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens/blood ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics/immunology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; *Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical/prevention & control ; *National Health Programs ; Pregnancy ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; *Tertiary Care Centers ; Viral Load

Hepatitis B ; blood ; epidemiology ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; immunology ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo observe the long-term effect of plasma-derived HBV vaccine.

METHODSThe effect of a plasma-derived HBV vaccine which was given to children born in 1986 in Huangpu district in Shanghai were followed up once every two years and testing for HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc was carried out. Compared to background results from cross-sectional survey of hepatitis B virus in 1984 and 1985 (as internal control) as well as finding of survey targeted in non-plasma-derived HBV vaccine of children born in the same time in the nearby area from results investigated in 1991 (as external control), positive rate was calculated to assess the effect of protection.

RESULTSThe population immunized was followed up for 23 years and 5993 blood samples were collected. During the period of follow-up, the positive rate of anti-HBs decreased from 89.01% to 18.77% and the average level was 40.39%. The average positive rate of anti-HBc was 1.87%. The annual positive rate fluctuated around the average level. HBsAg positive rate remained less than 1.00% (0.46% - 0.98%), with an average of 0.62% (37/5993). Ranges of positive efficacy were from 81.37% to 95.78% against background control and 72.76% against external control.

CONCLUSIONThe plasma-derived HBV vaccine showed a good long-term protective effect and there was no need for boosting the immunization 23 years later.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunization Programs ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Vaccination

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute hepatitis A (HAV) is markedly increasing recently on. Some patients with acute hepatitis A show severe clinical course. The seroprevalence rate of IgG anti-HAV has been changing with the regions and the times. Vaccination and seroconversion rate of HAV are not well known. In this study, we aimed to study the difference of seroprevalence rate of IgG anti-HAV according to various clinical factors and to know the vaccination rate and seroconversion rate below 10 years old in the central region of South Korea including Cheonan city. METHODS: Seven hundred seventy two subjects were included in the study from January to September 2009. We analyzed seroprevalence rate of IgG anti-HAV according to sex, age, region, and other viral markers. We interviewed the history of vaccination(1st, 2nd) and analyzed seroconversion rate according to vaccination time below 10 years old. RESULTS: The total seroprevalence rate of IgG anti-HAV was 65.3%. The seroprevalence rate of IgG anti-HAV rate in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th decade was very low (1.9%, 18.8%, 44.8%). The vaccination rate of children was about 50%. The seroconversion rate after 1st, and 2nd vaccination were 85%, 96%. CONCLUSIONS: Catch-up vaccination for teenagers and young adults is needed. Immunizing children with HAV vaccine as a routine schedule should be considered.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hepatitis A/*epidemiology/prevention & control ; Hepatitis A Antibodies/*blood ; *Hepatitis A Vaccines ; Hepatitis A Virus, Human/immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Republic of Korea ; Seroepidemiologic Studies

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been a major global cause of morbidity and mortality. The recognition of the problem led to a worldwide effort to reduce transmission of HBV through routine infant vaccination. HBV infection is the most common cause of chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma in Korea. After hepatitis B vaccine era, seroprevalence of hepatits B surface antigen is decreasing, particularly in children. Hepatitis B vaccine is remarkably safe and shows high immunogenicity. Universal childhood immunization with three doses of hepatitis B vaccine in the first year of life is a highly effective method for prevention and control of hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B/*epidemiology/immunology/*prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Antibodies/blood/immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines/immunology/therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics/immunology ; Humans ; Vaccination

Antibody Formation ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Few studies have investigated hepatitis A virus (HAV) seroepidemiology in Koreans with chronic liver disease (CLD). This study compared the prevalence of IgG anti-HAV between the general healthy population and patients with hepatitis B virus-related CLD (HBV-CLD), with the aim of identifying predictors of HAV prior exposure. METHODS: In total, 1,319 patients were recruited between June 2008 and April 2010. All patients were tested for IgG anti-HAV, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and antibodies to hepatitis C virus. The patients were divided into the general healthy population group and the HBV-CLD group based on the presence of HBsAg. The seroprevalence of IgG anti-HAV was compared between these two groups. RESULTS: The age-standardized seroprevalence rates of IgG anti-HAV in the general healthy population and patients with HBV-CLD were 52.5% and 49.1%, respectively. The age-stratified IgG anti-HAV seroprevalence rates for ages < or =19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and > or =60 years were 14.3%, 11.2%, 45.5%, 90.5%, 97.6% and 98.3%, respectively, in the general healthy population, and 0%, 9.8%, 46.3%, 91.1%, 97.7%, and 100% in the HBV-CLD group. In multivariate analysis, age (<30 vs. 30-59 years: OR=19.339, 95% CI=12.504-29.911, P<0.001; <30 vs. > or =60 years: OR=1060.5, 95% CI=142.233-7907.964, P<0.001) and advanced status of HBV-CLD (OR=19.180, 95% CI=4.550-80.856, P<0.001) were independent predictors of HAV prior exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of IgG anti-HAV did not differ significantly between the general-healthy-population and HBV-CLD groups. An HAV vaccination strategy might be warranted in people younger than 35 years, especially in patients with HBV-CLD.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatitis A/complications/*epidemiology/prevention & control ; Hepatitis A Antibodies/*blood ; Hepatitis A virus/immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/*complications ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/*blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Republic of Korea ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Sex Factors ; Vaccination

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male

The seroprevalence of anti-HAV (hepatitis A virus) has been decreasing in Korea. The decrease in HAV infection in young adults has resulted in the reduction of individuals with protective antibody and an increase in hepatitis A in the adult population. The increase in HAV infection in adults will have an impact on the magnitude and severity of the disease. In Korea, symptomatic hepatitis A has been gradually increasing since the mid-1990s, with a tendency toward an increase in mean age and disease severity. The endemic genotype of HAV in Korea has been changing from genotype IA alone to a mixture of genotype IA and IIIA. Therefore, preventive measures including universal vaccination in infants and active immunization of the adult population should be considered.
Adult ; Child ; Hepatitis A/*epidemiology/immunology/prevention & control ; Hepatitis A Vaccines/administration & dosage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea/epidemiology ; Seroepidemiologic Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the seroprevalence of anti-HAV IgG in adults of 4 cities in China.

METHODSSerum samples were collected from 2390 local residents aged between 20 to 88 years from Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan and Guangzhou. The anti-HAV IgG in sera was detected with a microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA).

RESULTSThe anti-HAV IgG seroprevalence in female of 30 to 39 years in Beijing (64.58%, 62/96) was higher than that in male (45.57% 36/79)) (x(2) = 6.358, P = 0.012). It increased with age in adults of Beijing and Guangzhou. The rates were 54.22 % (90/166), 56.00% (98/175) and 67.18% (88/131) for the 20-, 30- and 40-49 age groups in Beijing (x(2) = 4.76, P = 0.03); and 52.83% (56/106), 52.50% (63/120), 82.46% (94/114), 89.80% (88/98) and 96.77% (60/62) for the 20-, 30-, 40-, 50- and 60-88 age groups in Guangzhou, respectively (x(2) = 72.58, P less than 0.01). This trend was not found in Shanghai and Wuhan (x2 = 0.96, 2.99; P = 0.33, 0.08 respectively). The seroprevalence rates of anti-HAV IgG in the 20 to 39 age group of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Wuhan were 55.13% (188/341), 63.93% (429/671), 52.65% (119/226) and 78.37% (308/393), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe seroprevalence rates of anti-HAV IgG in young adults aged 20 to 39 years of the four cities are relatively low, and HAV vaccination should be suggested for the susceptible population of this age group in China.

Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis A ; epidemiology ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis A Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis A Virus, Human ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Sex Distribution ; Urban Population ; Young Adult