Surveillance of hepatitis A serum antibody levels in recruits

Objective　This study was conducted to investigate the distribution of hepatitis A antibody IgG (anti HAV IgG) in recruits, provide the scientific evidence for further prevention and control of the disease. Methods　A retrospective seroepidemiological study was conducted by using Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA), the serum samples of 325 recruits, who came from 6 provinces during the past four years, were tested to detect hepatitis A antibody IgG, and the overall positive rate was analyzed statistically. Results　There was no significant difference in serum anti HAV IgG levels among recruits in each years, which ranged from 31.87% to 41.76%, with a average rate of 37.85%, but regional difference existed, the higher levels were found in recruits from Hubei (49.21%) and Henan (40.00%), and lower levels from Shanxi (26.67%). There was no significant correlation between the anti HAV IgG positive rate and the education or occupation background of the recruits before their recruitment. Conclusion　There was regional difference among anti HAV IgG positive rates of the examined recruits. Since the positive rate was obviously lower than the baseline 70%, great importance should be attached to the prevention of hepatitis A outbreaks in military population. Reexamination for recruits should be performed during the quarantine, and hepatitis A vaccination and health education for recruits should be given to prevent and control hepatitis A.