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The relationship of hepatitis B virus infection between adults
and their children in Guangxi Province, China.
Journal of Hepatology 2000;33(4):628-631.
Zhuo J, Tao G, Ebrahim SH, Wang S, Luo Z, Wang H.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to describe the seroepidemiology of hepatitis
B virus (HBV) infection, with emphasis on transmission of HBV infection between
adults and their children. METHODS: We analyzed the hepatitis sero-survey
data collected from 2132 persons aged 1-59 years (624 families) in Guangxi
Province, China, 1992. Blood was tested for the presence of the hepatitis
B surface antigen (HBsAg), the antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc),
and the antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). RESULTS: Of the
2132 persons surveyed, 119 (5.6%) reported receiving HBV vaccination. Among
those persons who did not receive HBV vaccination, 19% were HBsAg positive
(current HBV infection) and 57% had a past HBV infection (they were HBsAg
negative and either anti-HBc positive or anti-HBs positive). Among 519 children
aged 1-10 years who did not receive HBV vaccination, 21% had current HBV
infection and 37% had past HBV infection. Among 289 children of both parents
who were HBsAg negative, 16% had current HBV infection and 36% had past HBV
infection. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of community-acquired HBV infection
in children and the low HBV vaccination coverage in Guangxi should alert
public health agencies to re-examine their current policies for preventing
HBV transmission.