Article Category:
Research Article

Significant Reduction in Seroprevalence of Antibodies Against Hepatitis A across Thailand, 2024

Phattharaporn Inma Centers of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand;

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Pornjarim Nilyanimit Centers of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand;

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Nasamon Wanlapakorn Centers of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand;

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Ratchadawan Aeemjinda Centers of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand;

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Sumeth Korkong Centers of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand;

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Prangnapitch Wihanthong Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand;

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Narong Thawinwisan Ayutthaya Provincial Health Office, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health, Ayutthaya, Thailand;

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Pichet Puedkuntod Buriram Provincial Health Office, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health, Buriram, Thailand;

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Watcharanan Tinnaitorn Trang Provincial Public Health Office, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health, Trang, Thailand;

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Montana Foonoi Uttaradit Hospital, Uttaradit, Thailand;

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Pornsawan Meechin Faktha Hospital, Uttaradit, Thailand;

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Yong Poovorawan Centers of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand;
The Royal Society of Thailand (FRS(T)), Sanam Sueapa, Dusit, Bangkok, Thailand

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.24-0702
Volume/Issue:
Ahead of Print
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Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is an RNA virus that causes acute hepatitis and is transmitted via the fecal–oral route. It has historically been highly endemic in Thailand, where most children develop lifelong immunity after infection. Economic development and improved sanitation have reduced HAV transmission, but immunity levels have declined, raising concerns about potential future outbreaks. This study aims to assess the seroprevalence of HAV antibodies in Thailand in 2024, 10 years after the last national survey in 2014, and to evaluate current immunity levels to inform public health strategies. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a population aged 6 months to 80 years across Thailand’s geographic regions. A total of 4,312 serum samples were tested for anti-HAV antibodies using the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. The seroprevalence data were compared with findings from previous surveys in 2004 and 2014. The study showed a significant decline in population immunity to HAV, with the age at which 50% of individuals had antibodies increasing from 36 in 2004 to 42 in 2014, and to 47 years in 2024. A majority of the population remained susceptible to HAV, particularly among younger age groups. Thailand has transitioned to low HAV endemicity, with a large proportion of the population lacking immunity. Despite the absence of significant outbreaks in recent decades, the risk of future outbreaks remains, particularly from imported cases. Enhanced surveillance and vaccination strategies are necessary to prevent future HAV transmission and manage public health risks.

Author Notes

Financial support: This research was funded by the Health Systems Research Institute, the Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the MK Restaurant Group, the Aunt Thongkham Foundation, and the Education and Public Welfare Foundation. Additionally, P. Nilyanimit received support from the Second Century Fund fellowship at Chulalongkorn University.

Disclosure: This research received ethical approval from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University (IRB Number 787/66). Before participation, all subjects and their legal guardians were provided with a comprehensive explanation of the study’s objectives and procedures, and written informed consent was obtained. The study was conducted under Good Clinical Practice guidelines and the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki.

Authors’ contributions: All authors were involved in the conception and design of the study. P. Wihanthong, N. Thawinwisan, P. Puedkuntod, W. Tinnaitorn, M. Foonoi, and P. Meechin collected specimens and data. R. Aeemchinda and S. Korkong performed the laboratory tests. P. Inma and P. Nilyanimit analyzed the data. P. Inma, N. Wanlapakorn, and Y. Poovorawan drafted the manuscript. All authors critically revised the manuscript for intellectual content and approved the version to be published. All authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Current contact information: Phatharaporn Inma, Pornjarim Nilyanimit, Nasamon Wanlapakorn, Ratchadawan Aeemchinda, and Sumeth Korkong, Centers of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, E-mails: bam21142@hotmail.com, mim_bhni@hotmail.com, nasamon.w@chula.ac.th, aeemjinda.r@gmail.com, and sumeth.kor@gmail.com. Prangnapitch Wihanthong, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand, E-mail: wnop_049@hotmail.com. Narong Thawinwisan, Ayutthaya Provincial Health Office, Office of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Public Health, Ayutthaya, Thailand, E-mail: korea02@gmail.com. Pichet Puedkuntod, Buriram Provincial Health Office, Office of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Public Health, Buriram, Thailand, E-mail: drpichet@gmail.com. Watcharanan Tinnaitorn, Trang Provincial Public Health Office, Office of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Public Health, Trang, Thailand, E-mail: tenten.gucci@gmail.com. Montana Foonoi, Uttaradit Hospital, Uttaradit, Thailand, E-mail: ple.md0205@gmail.com. Pornsawan Meechin, Faktha Hospital, Uttaradit, Thailand, E-mail: nefertalentiti@hotmail.com. Yong Poovorawan, Centers of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, E-mail: yong.p@chula.ac.th.

Address correspondence to Yong Poovorawan, Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Rama IV Rd., Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. E-mail: yong.p@chula.ac.th
Copyright:
© American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2025
Received:
18 Oct 2024
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Accepted:
18 Dec 2024
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Published Online:
18 Mar 2025
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
Online ISSN:
1476-1645
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