Yonsei medical journal
Volume 59, Issue 9, 2018, Pages 1072-1078

Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis Viruses and Hepatitis B Genotypes of Female Marriage Immigrants in Korea (Article) (Open Access)

Kwon J.C. , Chang H.Y. , Kwon O.Y. , Park J.H. , Oh I.S. , Kim H.J. , Lee J.H. , Roh H.J. , Lee H.W.
  • a Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
  • b Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
  • c Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
  • d Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
  • e Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
  • f Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
  • g Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, South Korea
  • h Molecular Epidemiology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • i Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, South Korea

Abstract

PURPOSE: The Korean society has moved rapidly toward becoming a multicultural society. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of hepatitis viruses and investigate hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypic diversity in female marriage immigrants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Screening program was conducted at support centers for multicultural families in 21 administrative districts in Korea between July 2011 and January 2017. A total of 963 female marriage immigrants were included in this study. Blood samples were tested for hepatitis viral markers and HBV genotype. RESULTS: Subjects' median age was 33 years (20-40 years), and they originated from nine countries including Vietnam (n=422, 43.8%), China (n=311, 32.3%), the Philippines (n=85, 8.8%), Cambodia (n=58, 6.0%), and Japan (n=39, 4.0%). About 30% (n=288) of subjects required hepatitis A vaccination. HBsAg positive rate was 5.4% (n=52). Positive HBsAg results were the highest in subjects from Southeast Asia (6.6%, n=38). Anti-HBs positive rate was 60.4% (n=582). About 34% (n=329) of subjects who were negative for anti-HBs and HBsAg required HBV vaccinations. Genotypes B and C were found in 54.6% (n=12) and 45.4% (n=10) of the 22 subjects with HBV, in whom genotypes were tested. Eight (0.8%) subjects were positive for anti-HCV. Positive anti-HCV results were the highest in subjects from Central Asia (7.9%, n=3). CONCLUSION: Testing for hepatitis viral marker (hepatitis A virus IgG and HBsAg/anti-HBs) is needed for female marriage immigrants. Especially, HBV genotype B is different from genotype C of Koreans. Therefore, interest and attention to vaccination programs for female marriage immigrants are necessary for both clinicians and public health institutes. © Copyright: Yonsei University College of Medicine 2018.

Author Keywords

Hepatitis virus immigrants Genotype marriage Prevalence

Index Keywords

genetics genotype China South Korea Republic of Korea human hepatitis A middle aged statistics and numerical data Aged Hepatitis B virus ethnology marriage Young Adult Humans migrant Adolescent male Japan Emigrants and Immigrants female Southeast Asia prevalence blood Hepatitis B Vaccines adult seroepidemiology hepatitis B vaccine hepatitis B surface antigen Hepatitis B Surface Antigens vaccination hepatitis B Seroepidemiologic Studies Hepatitis B Antibodies Asia, Southeastern hepatitis B antibody hepatitis C
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85055076659&doi=10.3349%2fymj.2018.59.9.1072&partnerID=40&md5=13f8455318d026acfd057b58c38519e1
DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2018.59.9.1072
ISSN: 19762437
Original Language: English