A dynamic study of the intrafamilial spread of hepatitis B virus infection: relation with the viral replication.
A total of 848 household contacts of 285 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) chronic carriers were included in a prospective study. Of the total number of contacts negative for hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers at baseline, 330 relatives of 145 HBsAg carriers were observed over a mean period of 20.1 months. Among all household contacts, 284 (33.5%) were found positive for at least one HBV marker. The prevalence of HBV markers was significantly higher among the contacts of more than one HBsAg carrier (75.9%) than among those with only one (26.0%) (P less than .001). The presence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), specific HBV-DNA polymerase (HBV-DNAp), HBV-DNA, and polymerized human serum albumin (pHSA-R) in the index case was associated with a significantly higher incidence of HBV markers among household contacts. During the follow-up, the number of household contacts initially negative for HBV markers who became infected was found to be in direct relation to the presence of HBeAg, HBV-DNAp, HBV-DNA and pHSA-R in the index case.
Department of Gastroenterology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.
J C
JC
Porres
V
V
Carreño
J
J
Bartolomé
J
J
Gutiez
I
I
Castillo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain; D014779:Virus Replication
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens