Abstract
To evaluate factors for intra-household transmission of HBV in Alaskan Eskimos, 93 households were identified in which at least one member was positive for HBsAg and at least one member was negative for HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc. After 6 months, 25 (11.7%) of the 213 seronegative persons sero-converted (annual incidence of 221 infections per 1,000 persons). Using logistic regression models, the significant factors involved with intra-household transmission of HBV were the age of the person positive for HBsAg, the presence of HBeAg, and the age of the susceptible person. Shown below is the proportion of persons infected with HBV (by age) in relation to the age of the HBsAg-positive household member. Transmission of HBV commonly occurred if an HBsAg-positive household member was less than 10-years-old (p<0.0001) and was also positive for HBeAg (p=0.0015). Also, if a member became a chronic carrier (HBsAg-positive ≥ 1 year), the risk of infection extended to a broader age group (p=0.025). In Alaskan Eskimos, sibling-to-sibling transmission of HBV infection is the predominant type. Therefore, infants and children should be considered the highest priority group for HBV vaccination.
Proportion of seronegative persons with new HBV infection
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Hevward, W., Hall, D., McMahon, B. et al. 544 INTRA-HOUSEHOLD TRANSMISSION HEPATITIS B VIRUS (HBV) INFECTION. Pediatr Res 19, 201 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00574
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00574