Die Ausbreitung von Hepatitis-B-Infektionen in Familien HBsAg-positiver Träger

Abstract

Family members of 34 asymptomatic HBsAg carriers were tested for different hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers. Among 67 family members tested 24 (36%) presented signs of a past or ongoing HBV-infection. Spread of HBV-infection was particularly high in those families in which the HBsAg carrier was positive for HBeAg and Dane particle-associated DNA polymerase activity. Non-parenteral "horizontal" transmission of HBV among spouses and brothers and sisters and probably parenteral vertical transmission of HBV from carrier mothers to their infants occurred in approximately the same frequency. Fathers transmitted HBV unfrequently to their offsprings. The results show that the risk to acquire a HBV-infection from an asymptomatic HBsAg carrier is closely linked to the serological findings in the HBe/anti-HBe-system of the index HBsAg carrier and not to the family relationship to the HBsAg carrier.

Transmission of hepatitis B virus infection among family contacts of chronic hepatitis B carriers in Sri Lanka

“…High rate of HBV transmission to family contacts from asymptomatic HBV carriers has been well demonstrated in previous studies. 6 The 11 individuals who had received HBV vaccine prior to contact screening were children who were vaccinated through the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI). This shows that the inclusion of the hepatitis B vaccine in to the EPI is successful in preventing transmission of HBV infection in a low endemic population like Sri Lanka.…”

“…Asymptomatic carriers can be a source of infection in the community as they are unaware of their infection. 6 A high incidence of HBV infection has been reported among family member of chronic HBV carriers from different parts of the world. 7,8,9,10 Prevention of transmission to a spouse and to close contacts including other family members is therefore an important aspect in the management of HBV infections.…”