Abstract
Hepatitis A is the most common form of acute viral hepatitis in the world. Major geographical differences in endemicity of hepatitis A are closely related to hygienic and sanitary conditions and other indicators of the level of socioeconomic development. In this study we aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of hepatitis A for adults and pediatric in university hospital- Gaziantep, and to demonstrate the relationship between various socio-demographic data and seropositivity. Serum samples were investigated by ELISA method for Anti HAV IgG and Anti HAV IgM. A total of 102 individuals, 55 male and 47 female, were included in the study. Anti HAV IgG positivity was detected in 87(85.3%), anti HAV IgM positivity was detected in 2 (2.0%). There weren't any significant gender differences in HAV IgG. By analysis according to the age, Anti-HAV IgG seropositivity increased with age. Although there was no significant difference in HAV IgG seropositivity according to the types of drinking water supply, HAV IgG seropositivity was detected in a less percentage in individuals who drink the commercial water. In Turkey HAV infection has been shifted to older ages than younger age. The disease is more complicated in advanced age than younger people. We recommend the importance of applying the vaccine.
Highlights
Hepatitis A is primarily seen all over the world and generally it is an extremely common childhood infectious disease
In this study we aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of hepatitis A for adults and pediatric in the University hospital - Faculty of medicine - Sahinbey – GaziantepTurkey, and to demonstrate the relationship between various socio-demographic data and seropositivity
It was observed that exposure to hepatitis A shifted towards older age in Turkey
Summary
Hepatitis A is primarily seen all over the world and generally it is an extremely common childhood infectious disease. The asymptomatic high transmission rate of childhood, the incidence of symptomatic disease and complications such as fulminant hepatitis increases with age [1,2]. Hepatitis A is more common in the society where sanitary conditions and hygienic practices are unfavorable people’s economic and educational levels are poor. In developed communities with good sanitary and hygienic conditions infection rates shift to older age groups [3,4]. To identify the preventive measures of a disease such as hepatitis A which causes significant morbidity and mortality, it is important to determine the seroprevalence of this disease in the community and show the change in the seroprevalence over the years [1]
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