Hepatitis A seroprevalence in Erzurum, Turkey

Abstract

Introduction and objective. Hepatitis A Virus (HAV), reportedly the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis in developing countries, infects millions of people worldwide each year. The aim of the study is to investigate the seropositivity of antihepatitis A virus (HAV) IgG and IgM in all age groups in Erzurum, and to determine the effect of various factors such as age, gender, climatic conditions and HAV vaccination (included in 2012 in the National Immunization Schedule on seroprevalence) on the seropositivity. Materials and method. The serological results of 25,007 individuals referred to Erzurum Public Health Microbiology Laboratory between January 2015-December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed to test for the presence of anti-HAV IgG and IgM. The patient ages were 0-93 years. Serum samples were analyzed by ELISA. S/CO values of ≥1.00 and >1.21 were considered positive for anti-HAV IgG and IgM, respectively; results below this value were considered negative. Results. Anti-HAV IgG and IgM seropositivities were 87.3% and 0.2%, respectively. Anti-HAV IgG prevalence-88.5% and 86.4%, anti-HAV IgM positivity-0.1% and 0.3% in men and women.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A virus according to age groups in Northern Anatolia of Turkey

“…In terms of acute viral hepatitis A epidemiology, the rate was determined as 0.7% in our study. In recent studies in Turkey, rates were shown as 0.2-1.2% (10,13,19). In this context, the frequency of acute HAV infection in our area is consistent with the studies from Turkey.…”

“…In the study conducted by Kader (29) in Bingöl. In the study conducted by Yılmaz, covering 25007 tests, anti-HAV IgG and IgM positivity were found to be 87.3% and 0.2% in the Erzurum region in 2020 (10). Similar to our study, Yılmaz determined the lowest anti-HAV IgG rates in adolescents and young adults.…”

“…In our study, anti-HAV IgG and IgM positivity were determined as 84.4% and 0.7%, respectively. Various studies conducted in our country shows that hepatitis A is not only a childhood disease that adults are also susceptible (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28). Especially in the west of Turkey, there is a seroepidemiological distribution similar to that in developed countries.…”

“…Especially in the west of Turkey, there is a seroepidemiological distribution similar to that in developed countries. On the other hand, since the development level of the eastern part of Turkey is lower than the development level of western part, seropositivity rate is higher in the eastern part (10,30). The low incidence of hepatitis 2012 in Turkey (32).…”

Hepatitis A Vaccine Effectiveness and Seropositivity Among 1- to 18-Year-Old Children: 10-Year Results

“…Countries classified as the moderately endemic group have seropositivity rates in 90% of the population up to the age of 15 years. 5 , 6 Turkey is classified as moderately endemic group. 6 In India and some countries in Africa, almost all children up to the age of 3 years are seropositive for HAV.…”