Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology
2Prevention of viral hepatitis (B and C) reassessed
Section snippets
Virus and transmission
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a double-stranded, enveloped virus of the family Hepadnaviridae. HBV is currently classified into eight genotypes (A–H), associated with particular geographic distributions. HBV is carried in blood and in other body fluids, including saliva, semen and vaginal secretions, which are capable of transmitting HBV. The highest concentrations of the virus can be found in blood and serous exudates (up to 109 virions/mL). HBV remains viable for 7 days or longer on
Virus and transmission
Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), an RNA virus classified within the Flaviviridae family.48 HCV is a blood-borne agent that is efficiently transmitted parenterally through blood and blood products.49 Before the discovery of HCV in 1989, blood transfusion and the use of plasma-derived products was a frequent cause of hepatitis C transmission. In high-income countries the rapid improvement of health-care conditions, virus inactivation in blood products, and the implementation
Summary
As hepatitis B and C viruses share modes of transmission, their combined occurrence is not uncommon, particularly in areas where both viruses are endemic and in individuals at high-risk of parenteral infection. Both viral hepatitis infections form an important global public health problem, responsible for over half a billion chronic infections worldwide.
Their distinctive characteristics impact upon their epidemiology and transmission, and the success of the different prevention strategies.
For
Acknowledgement
This chapter was written with the input of several experts within the Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board (www.vhpb.org).
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Cited by (16)
Risk behaviours related to hepatitis B virus infection among adults in Malaysia: A cross-sectional household survey
2020, Clinical Epidemiology and Global HealthCitation Excerpt :Certain groups also have a higher risk of HepB for example men who have sex with men,13,14 drug and alcohol users,4,15–20 healthcare workers,21–26 household members who live with a HepB carrier,11,27,28 and individuals with multiple sexual partners.24,29 In addition, HepB prevalence is higher among people who having been tattooed,4,9,20,30 who have piercings8 and who share household tools such as toothbrushes, razor blades and nail cutters.5–8,25,31–34 Hepatitis B is very common in Asia35–37 and is recognized as an upcoming public health problem in middle-income countries like Malaysia.38
Nail scissors and fingernails as reservoirs of hepatitis B virus DNA: Role of nail scissors in household transmission of hepatitis B virus
2018, American Journal of Infection ControlCitation Excerpt :Moreover, we assessed whether nail specimens from HBV-infected people contained HBV, and evaluated the correlations of the HBV DNA levels of serum, nail specimens, and nail scissors. Similar to toothbrushes and nail scissors, there is a risk of transmission of HBV via the equipment used for shaving in barber shops, pedicures, manicures, piercing, and tattooing via cuts and bleedings.8,12,13,15-19 However, the studies focused on the risk of transmission in beauty and barber shops and the need for education of the employees because such workers do not wear gloves, do not perform appropriate decontamination and sterilization procedures, and have insufficient knowledge to protect themselves and their customers.15-19
Investigation of memory B cell responses to hepatitis B surface antigen in health care workers considered as non-responders to vaccination
2010, VaccineCitation Excerpt :In the absence of prophylactic vaccination, the risk of infection is estimated at 18–30%, depending on the type of object with which injury occurred [3]. Vaccinating health care workers is the most effective means of reducing outbreaks and HBV-related complications [4–6]. This vaccination is widely recommended for the general population, and is obligatory in France for health care workers [7].
Hepatitis B vaccination: Disease and cancer prevention-A taiwanese experience
2010, Clinics in Liver DiseaseCitation Excerpt :Increasing efforts are required to eliminate acute and chronic hepatitis B. Because of the competition of other new vaccines, HBV has not captured sufficient attention from policy makers, advocacy groups, or the general public. This is a major challenge for the future.45 It is very important to persuade and support the policy makers of the countries that still have no universal HBV vaccination program to establish a program, and to encourage the countries that already have a program to increase the coverage rates.
Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Liver Cancer
2021, Recent Results in Cancer ResearchSerological Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Viral Infections in North Central Nigeria
2020, Texila International Journal of Public Health