Int J Med Sci 2005; 2(1):50-57. doi:10.7150/ijms.2.50 This issue Cite

Review

Epidemiology and Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Jinlin Hou1, Zhihua Liu1, Fan Gu2

1Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Nanfang Medical University, Guangzhou, China
2Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science &Technology, Wuhan, China

Citation:
Hou J, Liu Z, Gu F. Epidemiology and Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Int J Med Sci 2005; 2(1):50-57. doi:10.7150/ijms.2.50. https://www.medsci.org/v02p0050.htm
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Abstract

Hepatitis B is one of the most common infectious diseases globally. It has been estimated that there are 350 million chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers worldwide. The prevalence of chronic HBV infection varies geographically, from high (>8%), intermediate (2-7%) to low (<2%) prevalence. HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (e-CHB) and occult HBV infection are two special clinical entities, and the prevalence and clinical implications remain to be explored. The predominant routes of transmission vary according to the endemicity of the HBV infection. In areas with high HBV endemicity, perinatal transmission is the main route of transmission, whereas in areas with low HBV endemicity, sexual contact amongst high-risk adults is the predominant route. HBV has been classified into 7 genotypes, i.e. A to G, based on the divergence of entire genome sequence and HBV genotypes have distinct geographical distributions. Three main strategies have been approved to be effective in preventing HBV infection. They are behavior modification, passive immunoprophylaxis, and active immunization. The implement of mass HBV immunization program is recommended by the WHO since 1991, and has dramatically decreased the prevalence of HBV infection and HCC in many countries.

Keywords: Hepatitis B infection, Epidemiology, Prevention, HBV immunization


Citation styles

APA
Hou, J., Liu, Z., Gu, F. (2005). Epidemiology and Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2(1), 50-57. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijms.2.50.

ACS
Hou, J.; Liu, Z.; Gu, F. Epidemiology and Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Int. J. Med. Sci. 2005, 2 (1), 50-57. DOI: 10.7150/ijms.2.50.

NLM
Hou J, Liu Z, Gu F. Epidemiology and Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Int J Med Sci 2005; 2(1):50-57. doi:10.7150/ijms.2.50. https://www.medsci.org/v02p0050.htm

CSE
Hou J, Liu Z, Gu F. 2005. Epidemiology and Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Int J Med Sci. 2(1):50-57.

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