Key result
The overall seropositive rate of the anti-HAV IgG antibody in maintenance hemodialysis subjects was 95.9%, with a markedly lower rate of 50% observed in patients under 40 years of age.
Cross-Sectional (n=170)
Yes
The seropositive rate of anti-HAV antibody in Korean hemodialysis patients is high overall (95.9%) but significantly lower in those under 40 years old, highlighting a need for active immunization in this younger subgroup.
May support targeted HAV vaccination in younger hemodialysis patients; leaves open prospective confirmation of seroprotection needs.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a self-limiting infectious disease, but 1% of subjects develop fulminant hepatitis. The prevalence of the anti-HAV immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody in hemodialysis subjects in Korea remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the seropositive rate of anti-HAV antibody among hemodialysis subjects in two hospitals according to age group. METHODS: A total of 170 hemodialysis subjects were evaluated for the seropositive rate of the anti-HAV IgG antibody and its titer. RESULTS: Of the 170 maintenance hemodialysis subjects in two hospitals (Kangnam 92 vs. Chuncheon 78), 79 (46.5%) were male. The mean age was 53.2 years old, and 94.1% of the subjects were over 40 years old. The median vintage of hemodialysis was 29.0 months. Anti-HAV antibody was found in 163 subjects (95.9%), with no significant difference between the two areas (Kangnam 97.8% [n = 90] vs. Chuncheon 93.6% [n = 73]). Subjects younger than 40 years old showed a seropositive rate of 50%, while the seropositive rate increased with age for subjects aged 40 or older (p for trend < 0.001). Seropositive subjects from Kangnam showed a higher anti-HAV antibody titer than those from Chuncheon (median: Kangnam 14.2 vs. Chuncheon 11.7). Only age influenced seropositivity. The only factor that influenced the antibody level was the location of hospital (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The seropositive rate of the anti-HAV antibody in hemodialysis subjects was 95%, which is similar to findings in the general population. Active immunization against hepatitis A is strongly recommended for hemodialysis subjects under 40 years of age after anti-HAV testing.
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Kim et al. (2018) conducted a cross-sectional in End-stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis (n=170). Maintenance hemodialysis was evaluated on Seropositive rate of anti-HAV IgG antibody. The overall seropositive rate of the anti-HAV IgG antibody in maintenance hemodialysis subjects was 95.9%, with a markedly lower rate of 50% observed in patients under 40 years of age.
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