Impact of universal vaccination on intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis B virus

[Guest guest]

J Med Virol. 2011 Feb 25. doi: 10.1002/jmv.22055. [Epub ahead of print]

Impact of universal vaccination on intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis B

virus.

Mu SC, Wang GM, Jow GM, Chen BF.

School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of

Pediatrics, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Abstract

To control hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, a nationwide vaccination program

was launched in 1984 and resulted in a significant reduction in the rate of

persistent infection of children. However, the relative contribution of

vaccination to the intrafamilial clustering of HBV infection remains unclear.

The rate of intrafamilial HBV transmission in vaccinated children was

investigated. Eighty-four sera from vaccinated children were enrolled and HBV

serum markers were determined. The modes of intrafamilial HBV transmission were

investigated by history taking and serological assay, and confirmed by

genotyping and phylogenetic analysis. The results showed 66 (78.6%) vaccinated

children born to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative parents were

HBsAg-negative. Eighteen vaccinees were born to HBsAg-positive parents; four

(21.4%) of the children were HBsAg-positive. According to the parents' HBsAg

status, three patterns of HBsAg-positive parents were identified. Serological

analysis showed that three of 15 children born to HBsAg-positive mother (pattern

I) and one of two children born to HBsAg-positive father became infected

(pattern II). The remaining one child was HBsAg negative with both parents

positive for HBsAg (pattern III). Genotyping and phyogenetic analysis confirmed

the mode of intrafamilial transmissions. Sequence analysis of S and pre-S genes

showed that HBV isolates of HBsAg-positive vaccinees were variants; no G145R but

G145A and other substitutions were found. In conclusion, this small study showed

that both maternal and paternal transmissions are important of the intrafamilial

spread of HBV infection. In addition, the introduction of HBV vaccination has

resulted in a reduction of intrafamilial transmission, but a study of a large

population is needed.

J. Med. Virol. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

PMID: 21360549 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

[Guest guest]

J Med Virol. 2011 Feb 25. doi: 10.1002/jmv.22055. [Epub ahead of print]

Impact of universal vaccination on intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis B

virus.

Mu SC, Wang GM, Jow GM, Chen BF.

School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of

Pediatrics, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Abstract

To control hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, a nationwide vaccination program

was launched in 1984 and resulted in a significant reduction in the rate of

persistent infection of children. However, the relative contribution of

vaccination to the intrafamilial clustering of HBV infection remains unclear.

The rate of intrafamilial HBV transmission in vaccinated children was

investigated. Eighty-four sera from vaccinated children were enrolled and HBV

serum markers were determined. The modes of intrafamilial HBV transmission were

investigated by history taking and serological assay, and confirmed by

genotyping and phylogenetic analysis. The results showed 66 (78.6%) vaccinated

children born to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative parents were

HBsAg-negative. Eighteen vaccinees were born to HBsAg-positive parents; four

(21.4%) of the children were HBsAg-positive. According to the parents' HBsAg

status, three patterns of HBsAg-positive parents were identified. Serological

analysis showed that three of 15 children born to HBsAg-positive mother (pattern

I) and one of two children born to HBsAg-positive father became infected

(pattern II). The remaining one child was HBsAg negative with both parents

positive for HBsAg (pattern III). Genotyping and phyogenetic analysis confirmed

the mode of intrafamilial transmissions. Sequence analysis of S and pre-S genes

showed that HBV isolates of HBsAg-positive vaccinees were variants; no G145R but

G145A and other substitutions were found. In conclusion, this small study showed

that both maternal and paternal transmissions are important of the intrafamilial

spread of HBV infection. In addition, the introduction of HBV vaccination has

resulted in a reduction of intrafamilial transmission, but a study of a large

population is needed.

J. Med. Virol. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

PMID: 21360549 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]