Korean Journal of Nosocomial Infection Control  2009;14(2):98-102

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

Hye Ran JEONG ; Bong Hee KIM ; Hyo You KIM ; Young Keun KIM ; Young UH ; Hei Kyung JIN

Keywords

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

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

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.