title: Hepatitis B virus eradication strategy for Asia. The Asian Regional Study Group.
abstract: The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its sequelae vary widely in the different populations living in the Asian-Pacific region. Horizontal transmission plays an important role in the spread of the disease; in East Asia, however, maternal transmission is particularly significant since a high portion of infected infants become chronic carriers and develop cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma later in life. Cost-benefit studies performed in Taipei and Shanghai show that hepatitis B vaccination is cost-effective. The three main strategies for HBV eradication include universal immunization or active plus passive immunization in areas of high endemicity, and selective vaccination of high-risk groups where carriage of the surface antigen is low.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei.
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Sung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000191:economics; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines
chemical_list: D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines