Status of HBsAg seroprevalence in 15 million rural couples in China: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

A cross-sectional analysis of prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) among rural couples was conducted between 2010 and 2014. Serologic HBV markers, including hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and e antigen (HBeAg), were tested. Primary outcome of interest comprised HBsAg positivity in couples (both positive: F+M+, only wife positive: F+M−, only husband positive: F−M+), and secondary outcome consisted of prevalence and risk factors of HBsAg positivity among husbands or wives. Of 14,816,300 couples included, 0.7% were F+M+; 6.3% were F−M+; 4.4% were F+M−, resulting in the overall seroprevalence of 11.4%. Individually, 6.1% were HBsAg positive with a higher rate seen in husbands (7.0%) than in wives (5.2%). Wife’s HBeAg(+)/HBsAg (+) (AOR = 2.61), HBeAg(−)/HBsAg (+) (AOR = 2.23), positivity of syphilis (AOR = 1.50), living in a high-risk region (AOR = 1.46) were significantly predictors of HBsAg positivity in husbands. Prevalence and predictors of HBsAg positivity in wives had similar results. Our data show a high burden and discordant pattern of HBV infection in rural couples, and partner’s double positivity of HBeAg and HBsAg was the most significant factor of HBV infection in couples. A comprehensive strategy that emphasizes vaccination and education is needed.

Occult hepatitis B virus and surface antigen mutant infection in healthy vaccinated cohorts and children with various forms of hepatitis and multiple transfusions

“…The anti‐HBc–positive rate was highest (44.34%) in infancy (as a result of maternal antibody transfer), dropped to 4.49% in the 1‐4‐year group, then remained stably low from the 5‐9‐year group to the 22‐27‐year group (indicating a low incidence of breakthrough horizontal infection during childhood, adolescence and even young adulthood), but significantly increased to 11.86% in the 28‐29‐year group (possibly because of selective neonatal immunization for infants born to HBsAg–positive mothers between 1984 and 1986 or sexual contact with high viral load patients) . HBsAg–positive rate showed a similar trend (Table ).…”

The association between low glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity level and hepatitis B virus infection among pre-pregnant reproductive-age Chinese females

“…We believe our research has important public health and clinical implications because G6PD deficiency and HBV infection and the related complications are primary public health threats worldwide 8,9 . Reproductive-age females with LG6PD combined with HBV infection are high risk population, especially during the pre-pregnancy and pregnancy periods.…”

“…G6PD deficiency is the most common metabolic disorder of red blood cells 25 , as well as the most widespread form of acute hemolytic anemia 26 , while HBV infection is a major mother-to-child transmission of disease with a heavy disease burden 8 . The WHO Working Group recommended that screening for G6PD deficiency in adults by quantitative estimation of the enzyme activity level in red cells, which was considered easy and desirable at the public health level 27 .…”

“…Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its related complications are a primary public health threat worldwide 8,9 . An estimated 2 billion people have been infected with HBV globally, and more than 257 million are chronic carriers of the virus 10,11 .…”

Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis B and C Viruses Among Couples Attending Antenatal Care in a Rural Community in Rwanda

“…In China, 11.4 % of rural couples who planned to conceive were affected by HBV infection and most of these infections were discordant. 47 Discordance in HBV and HCV infection status may expose seronegative partners to infection, and may be an area where targeted vaccination could be employed. However, numerous large prospective cohort studies did not show an increased risk for HCV transmission among heterosexual discordant couples (married or stable partners), even after 10 or more years of observation.…”