The Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis A and B in a Japanese Town

Abstract

Sera collected from 1, 118 healthy children and adults aged between four years and 90 years during the period 1989 to 1990, were tested for serological markers of hepatitis A virus (HAV) [antibody to HAV(anti-HAV)] and hepatitis B virus (HBV) [hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBsAb)]. The overall prevalence rates of anti-HAV, HBsAg, and anti-HBV were 20.2%, 0.36%, and 5.1%, respectively. No body was found to be positive for anti-HAV below 30 years of age but more than 70% of the adults aged 50 years or over were positive for anti-HAV. The level of exposure of HAV infection is declining in Japan and paradoxically at the same time a vast majority of people are becoming susceptible to more severe illness. The fall in prevalence of HBsAg possibly represents the positive impact of ongoing vaccination programs and other preventive measures against HBV.

Keywords

Anti-HAV Anti-HBs Hepatitis A vaccine Hepatitis B surface antigen HBV vaccine Japan Seroepidemiology

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