Hepatitis B virus infection in Chinese families in Hong Kong.
Between January 1983 and July 1984, 731 family members of 240 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers were screened for hepatitis B virus markers. The percentage of those who were positive for HBsAg was 28.3 and that for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen/antibody to hepatitis B core antigen was 43.1. The carrier rate was higher among siblings (53%) and offspring (50.5%) of female carriers, but similar to that of the age-matched general population for spouses (10.8%). Maternal transmission was the most important mode of spread of hepatitis B virus infection within the family. The HBsAg-positive offspring and siblings were clustered within certain families. Intrafamilial spread is important in perpetuating hepatitis B virus infection in Chinese persons. Susceptible family members, especially newborns and other young children of female carriers, should be vaccinated.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk; D012737:Sex Factors; D013029:Space-Time Clustering; D014611:Vaccination
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens