Update on epidemiology of hepatitis B and C in China

Abstract

A high rate of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in China is mainly caused by perinatal or early childhood transmission. Administration of universal HBV vaccination in infants has led to a dramatic decrease in HBV epidemiology, with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence declining from 9.75% in 1992 to 7.18% in 2006. The major HBV genotypes are B and C, with B being more prevalent in the southern part and C more prevalent in the northern part of China. A national survey carried out in 1992 showed that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection rate was 3.20% in general population in China. After implementation of mandatory HCV screening for blood transfusion and other precautions to prevent blood-borne disease since 1993, the new cases of HCV infection associated with blood or blood product has become very rare. Although the anti-HCV prevalence would be much higher in high-risk groups, a survey carried in 2006 showed that the anti-HCV prevalence rate was only 0.43% in general population. This sharp decline in HCV infection rate was mainly due to stringent administration and monitoring of blood donors and blood products, but may also be related to the remarkably improved specificity of anti-HCV test. The predominant HCV genotype in China is genotype 1b (60-70%), and the host interleukin-28b rs12979860 CC genotype is very frequent in Chinese population (over 80%).Chronic infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) poses serious public health problems because of the high prevalence rates in many parts of the world and adverse long-term clinical outcomes, including premature deaths from hepatic decompensation, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This is particularly true in China, where the prevalence rates of HBV and HCV infection were considerably high. Fortunately, thanks to the universal HBV vaccination program in infants and mandatory HCV screening in blood donors, and other precautions to prevent blood-borne diseases in health-care settings, the landscape of HBV and HCV epidemiology infection has changed greatly. In this short review, we will provide an update on epidemiology of HBV and HCV infection in mainland China.

Hepatitis B discrimination in everyday life by rural migrant workers in Beijing

“…Importantly, 36% of the participants did not know the mother to child route, but mother-to-child transmission is the leading cause of HBV infection in China. 17 HBV stigma was greatest in the fear of contagion domain. 12 We found that fear of being infected with HBV was significantly associated with rural migrant worker HBV-related discrimination (See Table 4).…”

Hepatitis B-related knowledge and vaccination in association with discrimination against Hepatitis B in rural China

“…Mother-to-child transmission is the leading cause of HBV infection in China. 29 We suggest that informing people that a significant proportion of infection is accounted for by mother-to-child transmission. This perspective might be helpful in reducing HBV-related discrimination.…”

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection among Chinese schizophrenia patients

“…After 20 years, more than 200 counties had included the hepatitis B vaccine in their national infant immunization programs. These efforts resulted in a remarkable decrease in hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity in the population, especially in children and adolescents [5]. However, an epidemic survey revealed that 7.18% of the Chinese population was HBsAg positive, demonstrating that HBV infection was still a public health burden in China [5].…”

“…These efforts resulted in a remarkable decrease in hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity in the population, especially in children and adolescents [5]. However, an epidemic survey revealed that 7.18% of the Chinese population was HBsAg positive, demonstrating that HBV infection was still a public health burden in China [5]. According to previous studies, the higher rates of HBV infection could be detected in some specific groups, such as patients undergoing dialysis, parenteral drug users, immunosuppressed patients, and male homosexuals [6][7][8][9].…”