The epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in women of reproductive age in highly endemic areas in China.

Abstract

We describe the epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among women of reproductive age residing in areas of China that are highly endemic for chronic HBV, and provide evidence useful for decision-makers to guide strategies for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HBV, and assess the impact of perinatal transmission PMTCT by projecting HBsAg prevalence trends without interventions. We conducted a cross-sectional HBV serological survey of women, 15-49 years of age, residing in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan provinces. Demographic and other subject-level data were collected in face-to-face interviews, after which we obtain blood specimens. Specimens were tested for HBV sero-markers by ELISA (Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy), and HBV DNA was tested with PCR (Hunan Sansure Biotech). Weighted HBsAg and HBV (either HBsAg+ or anti-HBc+ indicating either present or past infection) prevalences were 11.82% and 57.16%, respectively. Among the HBsAg-positive women, 27% were also HBeAg positive. The proportion of individuals with HBV DNA loads >105 IU/mL declined with increasing age. Among HBsAg-negative women, 0.9% had occult HBV infection. The prevalence of chronic HBV infection among reproductive women in these highly endemic provinces is high, posing a threat to maternal health and risk of mother-to-child transmission. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission remains critically important.

• Authors: H Zheng, F Q Cui, F Z Wang, L F Huang, X P Shao, J F Du, J Li, Y Zhou, H Z Zheng, J T Zhuo, X X Zeng, G M Zhang, N Miao, X J Sun, X F Liang, H M Luo
• Journal: Journal of viral hepatitis (J Viral Hepat) Vol. 25 Issue 1 Pg. 88-96 (01 2018) ISSN: 1365-2893 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 28834100 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• DNA, Viral
• Hepatitis B Antibodies
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• China (epidemiology)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• DNA, Viral (blood)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Female
• Hepatitis B Antibodies (blood)
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens (blood)
• Hepatitis B, Chronic (epidemiology)
• Humans
• Interviews as Topic
• Middle Aged
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Prevalence
• Young Adult