• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.239-244
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• 1998

Purpose : The incidence of hepatitis A virus infection in Korea has decreased recently. However, the prevalence in children and young adults is on an increasing trend in Inchon-Kyunggi prefecture. Economic development that leads to better living conditions and improves hygiene facilities has reduced the rate of HAV infection. This study was designed to evaluate the recent seroprevalence rate of hepatitis A in children and adolescents. Methods : Study population consisted of 612 children and adolescents aged 1 to 17 years in Inchon-Kyunggi prefecture. Serum samples were collected between 1996 and 1997 and tested for anti HAV by Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay(MEIA). Results : According to age, the seropositive rates were 10.5%(male 13%, female 6.7%) in 1 year-old group, 0% in 3, 5, 11 and 13 year-old group, 6%(male 8%, female 4%) in 15 year-old group, and 11%(male 14%, female 8%) in 17 year-old group. Conclusion : This study showed that seropositive rate of HAV infection increased with age. While it revealed extremely low incidence of HAV infection in children less than 13 years old, they are also likely 10 be exposed 10 the infection. Our findings suggest that the effective administration of vaccination is needed in selected and high risk groups.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.186-194
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• 2005

Purpose : Hepatitis A viral infections have been continued after re-emerging since mid 1990s in Korea. The incidence of this disease has been increased in young adults younger than 30 years of age since 2000. This study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of antibody to hepatitis A in Korea(two regions; Incheon and Changwon) in 2005, and was compared with the results of similar studies in mid 1990s. Methods : The study was conducted from January 2005 to June 2005, and consisted of 1,301 enrolled subjects, neonates to 50 years old, living in Incheon and Changwon in Korea. All sera were frozen and stored at $-70^{\circ}C$ until assayed. Anti-HAV IgG antibodies were measured by microparticle enzyme immunoassay(HAVAB, Abbott Lab., IL, USA). Results : The prevalence of anti-HAV IgG was 61.1% in infants younger than 1 year old, 30.5% in 1~5 years, 14.6% in 6~10 years, 1.7% in 11~15 years, 6.5% in 16~20 years, 36.6%in 21~30 years, 77.5% in 31~40 years, and 99.8% in 41~50 years. Statistical differences were not found between male and female, but there was statistical difference in 6~10 years old age group between the two areas. Conclusion : Our study indicate that the prevalence of antihepatitis A virus antibody has shifted from children to old adolescents and young adults. This result suggests that the risk of sudden outbreaks or increasing incidence of hepatitis A viral infections in young adults may be expected in our society. The preventive strategies of hepatitis A including vaccination should be prepared.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.170-178
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• 2007

Background : The incidence of acute hepatitis A in adults has recently been increasing. This study was conducted to investigate the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of acute hepatitis A in Daegu province over the past 10 years. Materials and Methods : We reviewed the medical records of 55 patients (male/female: 34/21), who were diagnosed with acute hepatitis A by confirmation of the IgM anti-HAV between January 1998 and June 2007. Results : The mean age was $29.7{\pm}10.3$ years (range; 17-65 years). The incidence was most common between March and June (56.1%), in the third and fourth decades of life (78.2%) and 90.9% (50/55) of the patients were diagnosed from 2003 to present. The common symptoms included anorexia, nausea or vomiting (69.1%), fever and chills (49.1%), myalgia (47.3%), weight loss (47.3%), fatigue (40.0%), abdominal pain (36.4%), diarrhea (9.1%) and pruritus (5.5%). The mean duration of hospital stay was $8.6{\pm}3.4$ days (range; 3-20 days). The route of transmission was identified in only 11 patients (20.0%); 7 patients (12.7%) traveled (abroad or domestic), 2 patients (3.6%) ingested raw food and 2 patients (3.6%) had friends with acute hepatitis A. Fifty four patients recovered without complication; one patient developed fulminant hepatitis and recovered after a liver transplantation. Conclusion : The incidence of acute hepatitis A in adults is increasing. Because of the cost of treatment and potential for serious disease, persons, under 40 are recommened to have hepatitis A vaccination and confirmation of IgG anti-HAV.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2005

Purpose: Non-A, B, C viral hepatitis is the name given to the disease with clinical viral hepatitis, but in which serologic evidence of A, B, C hepatitis has not been found. Little is known about the etiology and clinical features of non-A, B, C viral hepatitis in children. Methods: A clinical analysis of 45 cases with non-A, B, C viral hepatitis who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Pusan National University Hospital, from January 2001 to June 2004 was carried out retrospectively. Patients who were positive for HBsAg, anti-HAV and anti-HCV and had toxic, metabolic, autoimmune, or neonatal hepatitis were excluded in this study. Results: Among 45 cases of non-A, B, C viral hepatitis, the etiology was unknown in 26 (57.8%), CMV (cytomegalovirus) in 14 (31.1%), EBV (Epstein Barr virus) in 2 (4.4%), HSV (herpes simplex virus) in 2 (4.4%) and RV (rubella virus) in 1 (2.2%). Twenty seven out of 45 (60.0%) patients were under 1 year of age. Sixteen (33.3%) patients had no specific clinical symptoms and were diagnosed incidentally. On physical examination, twenty seven out of 45 patients (60.0%) had no abnormal findings. Forty three out of 45 patients (95.6%) showed classic clinical course of acute viral hepatitis, whereas fulminant hepatitis developed in two patients. Mean serum ALT (alanine aminotransferase) level was $448.7{\pm}771.9IU/L$. Serum ALT level was normalized in 31 out of 45 patients (81.6%) within 6 months and all patients within 18 months. Aplastic anemia was complicated in a case. Conclusion: Although most patients with non-A, B, C viral hepatitis showed a good prognosis, a careful follow-up would be necessary because some of them had a clinical course of chronic hepatitis, fulminant hepatitis and severe complication such as aplastic anemia.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.15-20
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• 2017

We are investigated about the Hepatitis infection risk of the funeral director related to wearing PPE(Personal Protect Equipment) within Metropolitan, Chungcheong and Gyeongsang regions in Korea. We are classified that the vaccinated group was classified as low risk group and the non-vaccinated group was classified as high risk group. And we are analyzed the risk rate of infection based on whether or not to wear PPE(personal protective equipment) among high-risk groups. The result is as follows. The mask wearing rate of high-risk group about HAV(hepatitis A virus) is three times lower than that of low-risk group. The surgical glove wearing rate of high-risk group about HBV(hepatitis B virus) is twice lower than that of low-risk group. The surgical glove and mask not wearing rate among the high-risk group observe that potential infection risk was high 4.23 times and 3.5 times, respectively. We are concluded that increasing the risk of potential infection risks from the funeral director could result in increased risk of infection to national public health, including the bereaved family. We are suggested that the funeral director must be bound to vaccinate against hepatitis and make PPE mandatory. It is deemed necessary for the government to develop policies to promote personal health and national health care.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.81-85
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• 2012

This study was undertaken to evaluate phenotypic and genotypic methods for detection of Metallo-Beta-Lactamases (MBLs) among nosocomial Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Of the 50 P. aeruginosa isolates from clinical specimens, 20 were evaluated for carbapenem resistance and screened for MBL by double-disk synergy test and combined-disk test. Nineteen strains (95%) were found to be MBL producers among the 20 P. aeruginosa. MBL positives were further confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). For the IMP and VIM types of MBLs, PCR analysis was performed on 19 of the 20, and 10 were positive for VIM MBL type. This study reports the validation of a simple and accurate MBL detection method that can be easily incorporated into the daily routine of a clinical laboratory. Early detection of MBL-carrying organisms, including those with susceptibility to carbapenems, is of paramount clinical importance, as it allows rapid initiation of strict infection control practices as well as therapeutic guidance for confirmed infection.Key Words : Hepatitis A virus (HAV), Anti-HAV, Hospital workers, Prevalence, Vaccination