This study evaluated the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in Korea. Pooled estimates of the anti-HCV positivity were calculated using the data published in 15 reports on the general population and health check-up examinees. The overall pooled estimate of the prevalence of HCV among middle-aged adults (40 yr old and above) was 1.68% (95% confidence interval: 1.51-1.86%) during the year of 1990-2000 among the general population. Most of the published data indicated that the prevalence of anti-HCV increased with age. The anti-HCV positivity was significantly higher in females than in males. Because the risk of HCV exposure in blood recipients has decreased remarkably, the spread of HCV through means other than a transfusion must be prevented.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatitis C/*epidemiology/immunology/prevention and control/transmission ; Hepatitis C Antibodies/blood ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Seroepidemiologic Studies

To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among Korean adults and to present the putative route of HCV transmission among them, serum samples from 4917 adults older than 20 years of age were tested for antibody to HCV (anti-HCV), and histories of blood transfusion and other pertinent information were obtained by self-administered questionnaires. The overall prevalence of anti-HCV was 1.7%; prevalence was 1.4% in subjects with normal levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), 3.3% in those with slightly elevated and 5.9% in those with markedly elevated levels of the enzymes. The prevalence of anti-HCV increased with increasing age (P < 0.01), but was not associated with blood transfusion. The present study suggests that the prevalence of HCV infection was 1.4% and that the major routes of HCV transmission may be other than blood transfusion in healthy Korean adults.
Adult ; Aged ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hepacivirus/immunology/*isolation & purification ; Hepatitis Antibodies/*blood ; Hepatitis C/*epidemiology/immunology/transmission ; Hepatitis C Antibodies ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Radioimmunoassay ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo observe the serological features of hepatitis G virus (HGV or GBV) in selected population of Shaanxi, Qinghai and Xinjiang Provinces (region).

METHODSEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine IgG antibody against GBV (anti-GBV IgG) in serum specimens of 1469 individuals from the 3 provinces (region).

RESULTSThe positivity rate of serum GBV-IgG antibody in ethnic minorities (4.11% in Tibetan, 5.36% in Mongolian, 4.55% in Uigur, 4.00% in Hui population) was slightly higher than that in Han population (1.36%-1.73%), but the differences were not significant (P>0.05). The positivity rate of serum GBV-IgG antibody in drug abusers (11.30%, 34/301) was remarkably higher than that of the normal population (2.44%,18/736) (P<0.01). The positivity rate of serum GBV-IgG antibody in blood donors was 1.02%-7.68%.

CONCLUSIONSThe positivity rates of serum GBV-IgG antibody among ethnic groups in the 3 provinces (region) had no significant differences; blood-borne transmission seemed to be an important transmission route of GBV, therefore supervision of blood donors and drug abusers should be intensified.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Blood Donors ; China ; epidemiology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flaviviridae Infections ; epidemiology ; transmission ; GB virus C ; immunology ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; epidemiology ; transmission ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Substance-Related Disorders ; virology

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The prevalence of occult HBV infection depends on the prevalence of HBV infection in the general population. Hemodialysis patients are at increased risk for HBV infection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of occult HBV infection in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: Total of 98 patients undergoing hemodialysis in CHA Bundang Medical Center (Seongnam, Korea) were included. Liver function tests and analysis of HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc and anti-HCV were performed. HBV DNA testing was conducted by using two specific quantitative methods. RESULTS: HBsAg was detected in 4 of 98 patients (4.1%), and they were excluded. Among 94 patients with HBsAg negative and anti-HCV negative, one (1.1%) patient with the TaqMan PCR test and 3 (3.2%) patients with the COBAS Amplicor HBV test were positive for HBV DNA. One patient was positive in both methods. Two patients were positive for both anti-HBs and anti-HBc and one patient was negative for both anti-HBs and anti-HBc. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed the prevalence of occult HBV infection in HBsAg negative and anti-HCV negative patients on hemodialysis at our center was 3.2%. Because there is possibility of HBV transmission in HBsAg negative patients on hemodialysis, more attention should be given to prevent HBV transmission.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antibodies/blood ; DNA, Viral/analysis ; Feces/*virology ; Female ; Hepatitis B/complications/*epidemiology/transmission ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens/immunology ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics/immunology ; Hepatitis C Antibodies/blood ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/*complications/diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Renal Dialysis ; Risk Factors