Hepatitis A Virus Seropositivity Research Articles

Seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus antibodies among children and adolescents living in Northern Thailand: an implication for hepatitis A immunization

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies and identify factors associated with HAV seropositivity among children and adolescents aged 1–18 years who resided in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Sociodemographic characteristics, sanitation/hygiene, and history of HAV vaccination were collected. Anti-HAV IgG antibody was determined, and a level ≥ 1.0 S/CO defined HAV seropositivity. We enrolled 300 participants; median age 8.7 years, 54% male, and 13% overweight (BMI z-score: + 1 to + 2 standard deviation [SD]). Sixty-five participants (22%) were vaccinated against HAV. Overall, 84/300 participants (28%) demonstrated HAV seropositivity, of whom 55/65 (85%) and 29/235 (12%) were among vaccinated and unvaccinated participants (P < 0.001), respectively. Previous HAV vaccination (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 47.2; 95% CI 20.0–111.8) and overweight (aOR 4.4; 95% CI 1.7–11.3, compared with normal weight [BMI z-score: − 2 to + 1 SD]) were significantly associated with seropositivity of HAV. In the stratified analyses, crowded bedroom (aOR 3.2; 95% CI 1.3–7.8, per one person increase) and overweight (aOR 5.0; 95% CI 1.8–13.7) were factors associated with HAV seropositivity among vaccinated and unvaccinated participants, respectively. Seroprevalence of HAV antibodies in healthy Thai children and adolescents was relatively low. Recommendation of HAV vaccination for these populations, particularly those with high-risk conditions, should be considered.

Hepatitis A seroprevalence and demographic risk factors in the susceptible population: a cross-sectional study.

The epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is influenced by variables such as age, sex, environmental conditions, and vaccination status. This study aimed to evaluate HAV seropositivity after the inclusion of hepatitis A vaccination in the national childhood immunization program and identify demographic risk factors of the susceptible population before routine vaccination.This cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted by retrospectively examining the laboratory records of patients who underwent HAV serology testing in a tertiary care center in eastern Turkey between 2008 and 2019.Overall immunity to HAV was 81.6%. According to birthplace and year, the rate of anti-HAV positivity was higher among people born before 2006 in the Southeast and Eastern Anatolia regions. For those born in 2012 or later, the lowest seropositivity was among those born in the Southeast region, while it was over 60% in the other regions. When analyzed by year of birth, the lowest seropositivity was in those born between 1994 and 2011, and the frequency of seropositivity increased with age. Of those born between 1982 and 1999, the seropositivity rate was higher among men than women. Rural dwellers born before 2012 had higher seropositivity than urban dwellers. Among those born before the introduction of routine childhood HAV vaccination, female sex, urban dwelling, and each additional year of age were identified as independent demographic risk factors for HAV susceptibility.Socioeconomic development and immunization programs have altered HAV seroprevalence patterns. Planning catch-up vaccinations, especially in adolescents and young adults (born in 1994-2011) with low seropositivity and ensuring the continuity of hygiene and sanitation practices are important to protect the susceptible population.

Hepatitis A virus seroprevalence among children and adolescents in a high-burden HIV setting in urban South Africa

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is one of the most important global causes of viral hepatitis. Recent reviews suggested that HAV endemicity in South Africa could shift from high to intermediate. A hospital-based HAV seroprevalence study was conducted between February 2018 and December 2019 in Pretoria, South Africa. Systematic sampling was performed on children and adolescents (1–15 years) who attended outpatient services. Participants with a known HIV status and valid HAV serology results were included. Of the 1220 participants, the median age was 7 years (IQR: 4–11), with 648 (53.11%) males and 572 (46.89%) females. Of 628 (51.48%) HIV-infected participants, most (329, 71.83%) were both immunologically and virologically controlled or had low-level viremia (74, 16.16%). Almost three-quarters (894, 73.28%) were living in formal dwellings, and just over half (688, 56.39%) had access to clean water sources inside the house. Increasing age was associated with testing HAV IgG-positive (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.20–1.30, p < 0.001), with 19.8% of participants one year of age compared with 86.7% of participants 15 years of age. This study suggests that South Africa has an intermediate HAV seroprevalence, with rates < 90% by 10 years of age (68.6%). Increased age and informal dwellings are statistically associated with HAV seropositivity, while HIV status does not significantly influence HAV seropositivity.

Seroprevalence and genotype distribution of hepatitis A virus in the pre-vaccine era in South Transdanubia, Hungary (2010-2020).

In this study, the age-related seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection was investigated in the population in South-Transdanubia, Southwest Hungary (Central Europe) between years 2010 and 2020. Up to the age of 40, the HAV seropositivity was less than 18% in all age groups indicating a low level of HAV endemicity in this part of the country in the covered study period. The HAV seropositivity started to increase at the age group 41-45 years, reaching the ∼50% at age group 56-60, and 75-80% at age group 66-70, respectively. A total of 43 (0.2%) of the 21,106 tested sera were HAV IgM-positive (the annual percentage range of HAV IgM-positivity was 0.046-0.6%). Total of 24 (55.8%) of the 43 HAV IgM-positive samples tested RT-PCR-positive confirmed as HAV sub-genotypes IA (N = 17; 70.8%) and IB (N = 7; 29.2%), respectively. Imported HAV infections (three cases from Romania, and one-one case from Austria and Italy), two small outbreaks and 11 cases of a genetically identical sub-genotype IA strain (GenBank number of the prototype strain: KM657825) from 2012 to 2014 were identified later connected directly to the enormous HAV outbreak initiated among men who have sex with men (MSM) at the end of 2011 in the capital Budapest.In summary, low endemicity but high and increased susceptibility for HAV infection was found in the population in Southwest Hungary, where repeated introduction of sub-genotypes IA and IB HAV strains were identified between 2010 and 2020.

STUDY OF HEPAITIS A AND HEPATITIS E VIRUS INFECTION IN ACUTE HEPATITIS PATIENTS

Background: Acute viral hepatitis is a major public health problem worldwide. Hepatitis-A virus (HAV) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) are two major hepatotropic viruses responsible for enterically transmitted acute viral hepatitis. To know seroprevalence , clinico- Objectives: epidemiological factors and co-infection of hepatitis A &amp; hepatitis E virus infection. The study was carried out in the Virology Research Methods: &amp; Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) under Department of Microbiology IGGMC, Nagpur from January to October 2019. Cases included were children &amp; young adults of both sexes having clinical hepatitis attending OPD and IPD. Blood sample was collected aseptically from each suspected patient. Serum was separated and tested for presence of IgM antibody against HAV and HEV by using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant assay. Out of 184 samples, HAV seropositivity was seen in 13.04 %, HEV seropos Results: itivity in 35.32 %. Maximum cases were seen in age group of 0-10 years for HAV and 21-30 years for HEV. Male to female ratio was almost equal for both HAV and HEV. Urban population was most affected Source of water in maximum cases was tap water in urban and well water in rural area. Prevalence of HEV infection among Conclusion: the acute viral hepatitis cases is much more common than HAV. HEV being caused by feco-oral route, it is very important to have supply of safe drinking water. Awareness regarding sanitation, hand and food hygiene is the key factor to prevent hepatitis A &amp; E infection.

Ten-Year Trends of Hepatitis A Seroprevalence in People Living with HIV in Korea.

Epidemiological information on hepatitis A among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Korea is scarce. This retrospective study was performed at a tertiary care hospital and included 756 PLHIV with anti- hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgG tests. Between 2012 and 2021, the age at anti-HAV IgG seroconversion is gradually delayed, and the proportion of individuals susceptible to HAV infection increased among adult PLHIV in Korea. The independent risk factors for HAV seropositivity were female sex and HBs antigen (Ag) positivity. Therefore, HAV vaccination is highly recommended for young PLHIV, especially for women or HBsAg-positive individuals.

Associations of Helicobacter pylori and hepatitis A seropositivity with asthma in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL): addressing the hygiene hypothesis

BackgroundThe hygiene hypothesis posits that microbial exposure reduces risk of asthma and other respiratory-related diseases. Helicobacter pylori and hepatitis A virus (HAV) are common fecal–oral infections. Our study aimed to examine associations of seropositivity to these agents with asthma in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).MethodsA total of 12,471 HCHS/SOL participants with baseline data on self-reported physician-diagnosed asthma, and antibodies anti-H. pylori and anti-HAV were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the overall associations of seropositivity to each agent with asthma. Analyses were also stratified by Hispanic/Latino background. Effect modification by smoking status and nativity were tested. An analysis restricted to individuals with spirometry-defined chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was also considered.ResultsThe weighted overall prevalence of asthma was 16.6%. The weighted seroprevalence of H. pylori was 56.6% and of HAV was 76.6%, and they significantly differed by Hispanic/Latino background. After accounting for age, sex, education and other key confounders, we found no associations between H. pylori or HAV seropositivity with asthma (with and without COPD), either for all individuals combined or for any of the six specific backgrounds. There were no significant interactions by smoking and nativity.ConclusionOur findings did not provide support for the role of H. pylori or HAV, as evidence of the hygiene hypothesis in asthma among the large and diverse Hispanic/Latino populations of the HCHS/SOL.Trial registration NCT02060344

HAV infection in Brazilian men who have sex with men: The importance of surveillance to avoid outbreaks.

BackgroundHepatitis A is a fecal-oral infection caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV). Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) have been reported as target groups for HAV infection. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence, risk factors, and circulating strains associated with HAV infection among MSM and TW in Central Brazil.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2011 to September 2013. Serum samples were collected from 425 individuals for anti-HAV antibody testing and HAV molecular characterization. Of them, 149 (35.1%) participants were self-identified as transgender women. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the risk factors of HAV seropositivity.ResultsThe seroprevalence of HAV exposure was 69.7% (95% Confidence Interval: 65.3–74.0%). Serological evidence of HAV was significantly higher in participants who self-identified as transgender women (83.2%) than MSM (62.3%). Increasing age, non-white race, and lower monthly household income were independently associated with HAV exposure among MSM. Only lower monthly household income was independently associated with HAV exposure among TW. One anti-HAV IgM positive sample, from a transgender woman (0.2%), was detected and classified as subgenotype IA.ConclusionsHigh HAV prevalence was observed, markedly among TW. Considering the risky sexual behaviors this population is exposed to, HAV vaccination and prevention programs targeting this population should be considered to prevent outbreaks and the burden of the disease.

P-50 PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS AMONG STUDENTS AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AT THE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF BAHIA

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a hepatotrophic virus of fecal-oral transmission. Occupational exposure in the health area is not considered a risk of HAV contagion. Adults are more likely to develop fulminant hepatitis. In Brazil, those over 20 years of age have a high prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies (IgGHAV). To study the prevalence of IgGHAV in college students (group 1) and professionals (group 2) of the health area of the Federal University of Bahia. The sample consisted of 335 individuals who completed an epidemiological questionnaire and in whom IgGHAV was studied in sera. IgGHAV was present in 56.9% of all individuals, being 43.9% susceptible. IgGHAV was in 94.4% of group 2 and in 48.8% of group 1 (p = 0.000). There were no statistical differences between ethnicities. There was an association between professional category and report of exposure to biological material (p = 0.017), but not between seropositivity and report of this exposure. These data reflect both occupational and environmental exposure. Greater seropositivity in older professionals can also mean greater environmental exposure throughout life. In this study, curiously, greater exposure to biological material did not have a significant association with seropositivity for HAV, recalling the importance of exposure also in the extra-academic community. This study showed that 43.9% of the individuals who start studies in the health area of our university are susceptible to contracting HAV infection, which generates an epidemiological reconsideration of the need for vaccination in this population in the vaccine calendar from Brazil concerning the last VHA outbreaks in special population as MSM. CAPES and CNPq.

Hepatitis A incidence, seroprevalence, and vaccination decision among MSM in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

BackgroundSeveral outbreaks of Hepatitis A virus (HAV) were recently documented among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Europe. We investigated the HAV incidence among MSM in Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and HAV seroprevalence and HAV vaccination decision among MSM visiting the Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) clinic in Amsterdam. MethodsUsing surveillance data from 1992 to 2017 of MSM with acute HAV in Amsterdam, we estimated the incidence by calendar year and age. We explored HAV seroprevalence by calendar year and age, determinants for HAV seropositivity, and opting-in/out for HAV vaccination using data collected among MSM that visited the STI clinic between 2006 and 2017 and were included in a nationwide Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination programme. Offering HAV vaccination at the STI clinic differed over three consecutive periods: not offered, offered for free, or offered for 75 euros. Logistic regression analyses were used to explore determinants. ResultsHAV incidence increased in 2016/17 after 4 years of absence and peaked in MSM around 35 years of age. Among MSM visiting the STI clinic, HAV seroprevalence was 37% (95%CI = 35–40%), which was constant over the period 2006–2017, and increased with age (p < 0.001). Determinants for HAV seropositivity in multivariable analysis were: older age (p < 0.001), originating from an HAV endemic country (p < 0.001), and being HBV seropositive (p = 0.001). MSM opted-in more frequently when HAV vaccination was offered for free versus paid (89% versus 11%, respectively; p < 0.001). Younger MSM were less inclined to vaccinate when payment was required (p = 0.010). Post-hoc analyses showed that 98% versus 46% of MSM visiting the Amsterdam STI clinic would be protected against HAV infection if HAV vaccination was offered for free or for 75 euros, respectively. ConclusionsThe MSM population of Amsterdam is vulnerable to a new HAV outbreak. We strongly recommend that MSM have access to free hepatitis A vaccination.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A Virus in Pediatric Patients with Hematologic Malignancies after Chemotherapy and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

This retrospective study was performed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in children and adolescents with hematologic malignancies after the completion of chemotherapy and hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Of 97 enrolled patients, 60 (61.9%) were seropositive for HAV. The seroprevalences in patients undergoing chemotherapy and HCT were 60.3% (41/68) and 65.5% (19/29), respectively (P = 0.628). No significant factors associated with seropositivity for HAV after chemotherapy and HCT were identified. Anti-HAV tests and HAV re-vaccinations can be considered in children and adolescents with underlying hematologic malignancies after chemotherapy and HCT based on the anti-HAV results.

Hepatitis A seroprevalence in adolescents and young adults in Mexico: A 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey analysis

To describe hepatitis A virus (HAV) seroprevalence and associated factors in adolescents (10–19 years) and young adults (20–25 years) in different Mexican regions, using 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey data. A random selection of 1581 serum samples was analyzed. Weighted HAV seroprevalence with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and its association with sociodemographic factors were estimated. Mean weighted HAV seroprevalence was 69.3% (95%CI: 64.8–73.4) overall, with 58.8% (95%CI: 53.4–64.1) in adolescents and 83.0% (95%CI: 75.3–88.7) in young adults. By age of 10, 46.7% (95%CI: 33.9–60.0) were seropositive and by age of 15, 52.8% (95%CI: 36.5–68.5), corresponding to intermediate endemicity nationally. Factors associated with HAV seropositivity (adjusted odds ratio, aOR) included: lower socioeconomic status (SES) (aOR = 4.09 for low and aOR = 2.31 for medium versus high SES), older age (aOR = 0.29 for adolescents versus young adults), living in the South (aOR = 2.12 versus Central Mexico) or in rural areas (aOR = 2.25 versus urban areas). Regional differences and increased seroprevalence of HAV in marginalized populations present an important public health issue, as a relatively large proportion of young adults are susceptible to infection. The burden of symptomatic disease must be addressed further to support specific programs of continued sanitation and education improvement, and the possibility of vaccination in more susceptible regions.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A among Children and Young Adults Residing in Tehran, Iran: Implication for HAV Vaccination

Background: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a major cause of acute viral hepatitis throughout the world. The severity of HAV clinical symptoms in infected cases is related to age. Age - specific seroprevalence studies are a reliable method to estimate the susceptibility rate to HAV in populations and can help establish vaccination implementation policies. Objectives: In this study we aimed to determine the age - specific HAV seroprevalence among 1 to 23 years subjects residing in Tehran, Iran. Methods: In this cross - sectional study, blood samples of 1120 cases (516 male and 604 female) referred to hospitals’ biochemical laboratories in Tehran, Iran, between the ages of 1 - 23 years were tested for total hepatitis A antibody (anti - HAV) by ELISA. Stratification of the study population was conducted according to age. Results: The overall prevalence of total anti - HAV was 6% (95% CI: 4.74% - 7.52%). HAV prevalence rates according to age groups were as follows: 5.7% between 1 - 5 years, 1.7% between 6 - 10 years, 4.2% between 11 - 15 years, 5.5% between 16 - 19 years, and 15.3% between 20 - 23 years. Except the 6 - 10 year age group, an increase in HAV seropositivity was observed with age. Anti - HAV seropositivity in terms of age groups was significantly different from each other (P = 0.000). The HAV seroprevalence rate was 32.8% in males and 67.2% in females with a significant difference between genders (P = 0.025). Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that most young children are susceptible to HAV infection, whereas adolescents and young adults are at more risk for HAV acquisition. Therefore HAV vaccination of young children seems logic and beneficial.

Prevalence of hepatitis A virus as cause of acute viral hepatitis in central Karnataka, India

Background: Hepatitis A is a preventable infectious disease with global distribution. Knowledge about the epidemiology of hepatitis A in a particular region will helpful for appropriate management of cases as well as preventive strategies for that region or area could be planned. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) as cause of acute viral hepatitis (AVH) in Central Karnataka, India. Methods: Blood samples were collected from AVH cases over a period of six months from June 2015 to November 2015 among patients attending a tertiary care centre, Davangere, Karnataka, India. Samples were tested for HAV IgM antibody (anti-HAV IgM) using a commercially available immunochromatographic assay . Results: Out of 51 samples tested, 19 (37.25%) were positive for anti-HAV IgM. Seropositivity for HAV was higher in females (43.75%) than males (34.29%). Agewise anti-HAV IgM positivity showed highest rate in 1-5 years age group (50.0% ), followed by 6-10 years group (42.86%) with a decline in older age groups (> 15 years). Conclusions: HAV causes AVH most commonly in early childhood and a small number of adolescents and adults. Females are more commonly infected than males. The preventive strategies and control measures of hepatitis A will be determined by future definition of HAV epidemiology in the Central Karnataka region, India.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus differs in Dutch and first generation migrant populations in Amsterdam, the Netherlands: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundIn the last decade hepatitis E virus (HEV) is increasingly recognized as a cause of acute viral hepatitis in developed countries. HEV is transmitted via the fecal-oral route. In countries like the Netherlands, HEV infection is suspected to be a zoonosis but HEV may also be introduced by migrants. We studied the seroprevalence of HEV among different migrants, mainly Moroccans and Turks, and compared this to that of the native Dutch population in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.MethodsData were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of the adult Amsterdam population performed in 2004; the Amsterdam Health Monitor. A total of 1199 plasma samples were tested for IgG-and IgM antibodies to HEV using the Wantai kit according to instructions of the manufacturer. Basic demographic data (gender, age, country of birth, and age at immigration) were used in the analyses. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) serology data were available from a previous study.ResultsThe total weighted anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence in the overall Amsterdam population was 26.7 %, based on 1199 samples. In the study population (not-weighted) this HEV seroprevalence was 157/426 (36.9 %) for the Dutch participants and it was 161/257 (62.6 %) for Moroccans, 99/296 (33.4 %) for Turks and 42/220 (19.1 %) for other ethnicities. HEV seroprevalence increased significantly with age. First-generation Moroccan migrants (44.0 %) had a significantly higher weighted HEV seroprevalence than the Dutch participants (29.7 %). In the first generation Turks (20.3 %) and first generation migrants from other countries (16.7 %) this weighted seroprevalence was lower, but this was only significant for the ‘other ethnicities’. The median age of migration was significantly higher in the Moroccan and Turkish migrants who were HEV IgG positive versus HEV IgG negative. However, when stratifying for age at time of study, median migration age was only significantly different for HEV sero-status for younger Turks and younger ‘other ethnicities’. HEV IgM antibodies were found in 0.6 % (n = 7) of participants and none were positive for HEV RNA, showing that there were no acute infections. Despite the common route of fecal-oral transmission for both viruses, there was no relation between HEV and HAV seropositivity.ConclusionWithin the multi-ethnical capital city of Amsterdam the HEV seroprevalence in first generation migrant populations differed from each other and from the autochthonous Dutch population. The relation between being HEV seropositive and a higher median age of migration suggests that younger migrants got more often infected in their country of origin than in the Netherlands.

Hepatitis a seropositivity and characteristics among healthcare workers in a training and research hospital in Istanbul

Objective: In this study, we investigated the relationship between the socioeconomic status, living conditions, life span, working life timeand the seropositivity of HEPATITIS A Virus (HAV) infection among our hospital staff members. Material and Methods: Anti-HAV IgG testing of randomly selected 167 healthcare workers were examined in 2012-2013. All participants answered on a questionnaire consisting questions on transmission routes and socioeconomic status. Results: Overall HAV seropositivity was found to be %43.1 among healthcare workers with a mean age of 33.4 for subjects with positive results and 27.4 years with negative results. Observed risk factors for seropositivity were the life span, professional working life time, life time in Istanbul, history of living in rural areas and frequent toilet usage outside of the house (p < 0.05). The factors that are inversely associated with seropositivity were educational level of parents, being born in Aegean-Mediterranean region, bottled water share in drinking water consumption and being a physician (p < 0.05). Conclusion: HAV infections contniue to be a serious problem.Vaccination must be considered for seronegative healthcare workers and the public.

Pattern of Hepatitis A Virus Epidemiology in Nursing Students and Adherence to Preventive Measures at Two Training Wards of a University Hospital.

BackgroundNursing students can be exposed to patients with hepatitis A virus (HAV) and can represent a vehicle of transmission both for health personnel, patients and relatives.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the risk of HAV infection in nursing students during their internship.Patients and MethodsA seroprevalence survey on HAV infection was performed on nursing students at the Cagliari university-hospital, together with the assessment of the compliance to preventive measures to decrease the risk of infection during their internship. Blood specimens were obtained from 253 students. All serum samples were tested for anti-HAV antibodies (IgG) by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compliance to preventive measures was recorded by trained personnel.ResultsOverall HAV seropositivity in nursing students (mean age 24, range 17 - 45 years) was 3%. Compliance to preventive measures was not uniform (6% - 76%) and extremely low in some specific measures targeted to decrease the oral-fecal transmission.ConclusionsThe high proportion of susceptible nursing students can contribute to an increase in the risk of nosocomial transmission, especially when specific preventive measures are not completely applied. Nursing education packages, before starting medical internship, should be implemented in order to increase their compliance to preventive measures, especially in wards at higher risk. Vaccination should be considered in wards at higher risk.

Hepatitis A Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors: A Community-based Cross-sectional Study in Shahrekord, Iran

Background: Recently, the epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection has been changing sue to lifestyle-related variations. To our knowledge, there are no published data about the seroepidemiology of this infection in Shahrekord, central Iran, by which decisions on the commissioning of a vaccination program could be made. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of HAV immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody at the Shahrekord Center of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, southwest Iran. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, using the multistage cluster sampling method, a total of 501 serum samples from the same number of individuals over 15 years in both urban and rural areas of Shahrekord, during 2013 were tested for HAV IgG antibody using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The data were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square test. Logistic regression was also used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: It was found that 455 out of 501 (90.8%) serum samples, including those of 211 (42.1%) men and 290 (57.9%) women, were positive for HAV IgG antibody. Education level, age, marital status, and ethnicity were associated with HAV seropositivity in the studied individuals (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The HAV seroprevalence of 90.8% in the studied region may be representative of a highly endemic region of HAV that does not require a vaccination program to be commissioned.

Hepatitis A Virus Infection, Vaccination and Iranian Healthcare Workers.

Context:Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is an important public health problem. It is estimated that about 1.4 million cases of HAV infection occur every year worldwide. Non-immune healthcare workers (HCWs) can be at higher risk of HAV infection in comparison to general population and an appropriate preventive method should be considered for them.Evidence Acquisition:For finding related articles, a comprehensive search was performed in Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar and all appropriate combinations of following keywords were considered; “healthcare provider”, “healthcare personnel”, “healthcare worker”, “nurse” “medical students”, “Iran”, “Hepatitis A” and “vaccination”. Also we did a search in Persian language in Google scholar and scientific information database (SID) to find related Persian literature.Results:A gradual shift in age of HAV infection has been seen from childhood toward adulthood. Data about HAV seropositivity among Iranian HCWs are very limited. However based on the recent studies, it seems that HAV seropositivity has been reduced among HCWs in comparison with the past. All recent studies have suggested HAV vaccination for HCWs.Conclusions:Available limited studies show that Iranian healthcare personnel need HAV vaccination. However, for selecting an appropriate preventive method for this high risk group, more original studies are still needed.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis A in Iranian adolescents: is it time to introduce a vaccine?

Universal vaccination of children for hepatitis A virus (HAV) has emerged as a cost-effective strategy to prevent this infection in regions with high incidence of symptomatic disease. Age-specific seroprevalence surveys are practical and reliable methods to estimate the rate of susceptibility in populations, and to help the implementation of vaccination policies. We surveyed the age-specific HAV seroprevalence in a nationally representative sample of Iranian adolescent students aged 10-18 years. Serum samples (n = 2494) were tested by enzyme immunoassay for total anti-HAV antibody. The overall rate of HAV seropositivity was 64% [95% confidence interval (CI), 62-66), which increased sharply from 14·8% (95% CI 7-23) at age 10 years to 72·9% (95% CI 68-78) at age 13 years, without a significant increase up to age 18 years. No significant difference in HAV seroprevalence was observed between males and females (63% vs. 65·1%), or urban and rural areas (63·4% vs. 65·2%); the seropositivity rate was similar in four different socioeconomic regions of Iran. We conclude that the seroconversion rate of HAV is high in Iranian adolescents and therefore mass vaccination of children may be necessary and should be considered by national health authorities.