Heterosexual transmission as the most common route of acute hepatitis B virus infection among adults in Taiwan--the importance of extending vaccination to susceptible adults.
Sixty adult patients with acute viral hepatitis B (AVHB) and 93 controls were interviewed to assess potential risk factors of hepatitis B. Heterosexual contact was the only significant factor, and it was associated with 83% of cases. A history of having new sex partners or multiple sex partners within 6 months before the onset of AVHB or first sexual contact before 20 years of age were significantly associated with HBV infection (P < .005, respectively). There was a dose-response relationship between the number of sex partners and the risk of HBV infection. In multivariate analyses, a history of having new sex partners was the most important factor. Moreover, 18 of 24 sex partners of the patients were serum hepatitis B surface antigen- and HBV DNA-positive. Heterosexual contact is, therefore, the predominant route of HBV transmission among adults in Taiwan. Susceptible adults should receive vaccination.
Hou
M C
MC
Department of Medicine, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Wu
J C
JC
Kuo
B I
BI
Sheng
W Y
WY
Chen
T Z
TZ
Lee
S D
SD
Lo
K J
KJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013624:Taiwan; D014611:Vaccination
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens