Evaluation of Hepatitis A Seroprevalence in Patients Admitted to a University Hospital

Objectives: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a ribonucleic acid virus that usually causes acute self-limiting liver disease and is transmitted via the fecal-oral route. The prevalence of HAV is an indicator of socioeconomic level and closely related to geographical differences and hygiene. Materials and Methods: This study aimed to investigate the seropositivity of anti-HAV immunoglobulin G (IgG) and anti-HAV IgM in patients of different age groups admitted to our hospital. A total of 3,110 cases were analyzed using the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method and patients were divided into four age groups: 0-12 years, 13-17 years, 18-35 years, and over 35 years old. The chi-square test was used to evaluate the anti-HAV IgG serological variable about the independent variables such as age and gender. Results: There was no significant difference between genders. However, a statistically significant difference was observed between the 0-12 and 13-17 age groups, as well as between the 18-35 and >35 age groups. Anti-HAV IgM reactivity was detected only in a 43-year-old female. HAV seropositivity between 13 and 35 years of age is significantly lower, suggesting that the vaccine should also be administered to young adults. Conclusion: Seroprevalence data is crucial for outbreak prevention, guiding public health measures such as sanitation and hygiene, and particularly for planning vaccination programs.