title: Horizontal transmission of hepatitis B virus.
abstract: Meta-analysis of seroprevalence surveys shows that horizontal transmission of hepatitis B virus (ie, that occurring without apparent parenteral, sexual, or perinatal exposure) is common in areas endemic for the virus. It occurs especially in pre-adolescent children. In developed countries, where endemicity of hepatitis B virus is low, horizontal transmission (probably via saliva or open wounds) may occur in households with a persistent carrier, but it is less efficient a means of infection than is sexual or perinatal transmission. Horizontal transmission also seems possible in pre-school day-care centres in developed countries, despite the small numbers of carriers in such places.
authors.affiliation: Department of Antimicrobial Therapy, Burroughs Wellcome Company, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lemon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005192:Family Health; D014943:Global Health; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D012574:Schools; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens