Evaluation of the Seroprevalence of Hepatit A and Vaccination Status in Children Aged Two and Sixteen Years
Journal Title: Viral Hepatitis Journal - Year 2017, Vol 23, Issue 2
Abstract
Objective: In this study; the aim was to evaluate the seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in 2-16 year age group, and the rate of hepatitis A vaccination. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 400 children aged between 2 and 16 years with no chronic diseases who attended the pediatrics outpatient clinic in Health Sciences University, Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital. After obtaining informed consent from the parents, blood samples were taken for investigating serological markers for hepatitis A in the microbiology laboratory using the ELISA method. The parents were asked whether or not their children had been vaccinated against hepatitis A. Results: In this study 44.3% of the participants included were girls and 55.8% were boys. The mean age of the children was 10.8±4.18 years. 27.3% of patients were anti-HAV IgG-positive, and 11% had been vaccinated against hepatitis A. When we compared preschool and school age patients, anti-HAV IgG positivity was detected in all children who were vaccinated in the preschool group; while 5.9% of unvaccinated children were anti-HAV IgG-positive and 94.1% were negative. It was found that school age children were unvaccinated, and anti-HAV IgG was positive in 19.6% of the children and negative in 80.4% of the children. Conclusion: In our study, although the prevalence of hepatitis A was found to be low compared to the eastern and southeastern cities of our country, it is still higher than in the developed countries. In order to prevent hepatitis A infection, it is necessary to improve the socio-economic conditions of the country, to create better sanitary conditions and hygienic practices, and raise awareness of the infection.
Authors and Affiliations
Nurcan KOLANCALI, Zehra Esra ÖNAL, Sebahat AKSARAY, Çağatay NUHOĞLU
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP251831
- DOI 10.4274/vhd.30075
- Views 41
- Downloads 0
Elbasvir/Grazoprevir Experience - A New Glance at HCV Treatment: Case Report
Hepatitis C is a viral disease having a worldwide importance and posing a risk for liver complications. With the new treatment options, it is easy to manage with higher rates of success. Among them, one of the most recen...
Two Rare Causes of Hepatitis: Fascioliasis and Brucellosis
Brucellosis and fascioliasis are zoonoses which induce different type of cell-mediated immune responses and rarely cause hepatitis with together. Brucellosis induces T helper type 1 (Th1) immune response whereas Fasciola...
A Misleading Parameter in the Diagnosis of Chronic Hepatitis B: Persistently Normal Transaminases
Objectives: Most of the patients with hepatitis B e (HBe)-negative hepatitis B have persistently normal transaminases (PNALT) levels. Patients, who have higher fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity scores, are at high...
Hepatitis B Virus Carrying Drug-resistance Compensatory Mutations in Chronically Infected Treatment-naive Patients
Objective: The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is highly variable throughout the world. Geographical regions are classified according to the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen in the general population as hi...
Sixteen-year Prognosis of Treatment-naive Patients with Hepatitis C Infection
Objectives: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical course of treatment-naive patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) who were followed up in various centers in Turkey. Materials and Methods: This was a r...