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Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
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Hepatitis B seroprevalence and disease characteristics in an urban Chinatown community

Scott J Cotler1, Manish K Dhamija, Fabiolla Siqueira

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA. scotler@uic.edu

Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology : the Official Clinical Practice Journal of the American Gastroenterological Association
|April 7, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is common in Chinese immigrants, with an 11.1% seroprevalence. Many HBsAg-positive individuals require treatment, underscoring the need for hepatitis B screening and management in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses significant health risks, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly in Asian immigrant populations.
  • Asian immigrants represent a high-risk group for HBV infection, necessitating targeted screening and management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroprevalence among Chinese immigrants.
  • To characterize the hepatitis B infection status in individuals attending an urban internal medicine practice in Chinatown.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records for 4671 adult patients over a 2-year period.
  • Collection of demographic and laboratory data, including HBsAg, HBeAg, HBV DNA levels, and ALT levels.
  • Definition of elevated ALT as >19 IU/mL for women and >30 IU/mL for men.

Main Results:

  • Overall HBsAg seroprevalence was 11.1% (335/3012) in ethnically Chinese patients, with a higher rate of 14.9% in the 30-39 age group.
  • Among HBsAg-positive cases, 75% (188/250) were Hepatitis B e antigen-negative (HBeAg-).
  • A significant proportion of patients, 60% of HBeAg+ and 16% of HBeAg- cases, had viral loads and elevated ALT levels warranting consideration for antiviral therapy.

Conclusions:

  • The high HBsAg seroprevalence (11.1%) highlights the burden of hepatitis B among Chinese immigrants seeking general medical care.
  • The majority of HBsAg-positive patients were HBeAg-negative, indicating a need for careful monitoring and management.
  • Findings emphasize the critical importance of systematic hepatitis B screening and timely medical intervention for Chinese Americans to prevent long-term complications.
Abstract

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