Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) in Korean Plasmapheresis Donors
10.17945/kjbt.2025.36.3.134
- Author:
JungWon KANG
1
;
Ji Yeong SEON
;
Deuk Yeong KO
;
Taeeun KIM
;
Jaehyun KIM
;
Nam-Sun CHO
;
Kyoung Young CHOI
Author Information
1. Blood Transfusion Research Institute, Korean Red Cross, Wonju, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Korean Journal of Blood Transfusion
2025;36(3):134-142
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Hepatitis A is an acute type of hepatitis caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), which is mainly transmitted through the fecal-oral route and also rarely through blood transfusion. Studies on the seroprevalence of HAV immunoglobulin G in blood donors are necessary to predict the risk of releasing HAV infected blood products during epidemic and to establish effective transfusion recipient safety strategies. However, studies on the seroprevalence of HAV IgG in Korean blood donors have been rare.
Methods:Blood samples from 10,000 plasmapheresis donors collected from 6th March to 23rd May 2024, were tested for the HAV IgG and analyzed based on age, region, and gender. The test was performed by chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay on an Alinity i system (Abbott Laboratories, Lake Forest, IL, USA).
Results:The overall seroprevalence of HAV IgG was 57.6% (5,759/10,000) for the research subjects. Significant differences between age cohorts or gender were found (16∼19 years, 65.6%; 20∼29 years, 65.5%; 30∼39 years, 28.4%; 40∼49 years, 41.5%; 50∼59 years, 82.6%; >60 years, 97.9% and Men, 59.6%; Women, 51.5%). However, there was no significant difference according to region.
Conclusion:To prepare for a potential outbreak of HAV, it is recommended that HAV vaccination be prioritized for Korean blood donors in their 30s and 40s, alongside the continued surveillance of HAV IgG seroprevalence among them.
