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Familial clustering of hepatitis B and C viruses in Korea
1Department of Family Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) shows strong familial clustering in Korean households, unlike hepatitis C virus (HCV). This suggests different transmission patterns within families for these viral infections.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are significant causes of chronic liver disease.
- Understanding transmission routes and familial clustering is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the familial clustering of HBV and HCV infections in Korean adults.
- To identify potential transmission routes for HCV within households.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving household contacts of chronic HBV (HBsAg carriers) and HCV (anti-HCV positive) individuals.
- Serological testing for HBV and HCV markers in household contacts and controls.
- Statistical analysis to assess familial clustering and risk factors.
Main Results:
- Familial clustering of HBV infection was significant, with higher positivity rates among contacts of carriers compared to controls (14.1% vs 0%, p < 0.05).
- Offspring of HBV carriers showed a significantly higher prevalence of HBV infection (54.6% vs 15.4%, OR 6.6).
- No evidence of familial clustering for HCV infection was observed; anti-HCV positivity rates were similar in contacts of index cases and controls (2.2% vs 1.0%).
- Risk factors for HCV infection included a history of acute hepatitis, blood transfusion, and acupuncture.
Conclusions:
- HBV infection exhibits strong familial clustering in Korean households.
- HCV infection does not show significant familial clustering, suggesting non-familial transmission routes are more prominent.
- Public health strategies should consider the distinct transmission dynamics of HBV and HCV.
Abstract:
In order to evaluate the familial clustering of hepatitis B virus(HBV) and hepatitis C virus(HCV) infections and to elucidate the possible routes of HCV transmission among Korean adults with chronic liver disease, 137 household contacts of 51 chronic carriers of HBsAg and 111 household contacts of 38 controls, and 181 household contacts of 96 anti-HCV positives and 102 household contacts of 76 anti-HCV negatives were tested from July 1990 to March 1994. Of 71 non-vaccinated household contacts of HBsAg carriers, 10 gave positive result for HBsAg(14.1%), but none of the household contacts of the controls were positive for HBsAg(p < 0.05). Familial clustering of HBV infection was found, when the offspring of carriers and controls were compared. A significantly higher percentage of the offspring of carriers were positive for HBV infection(54.6% vs 15.4%, p < 0.05) with OR of 6.6(95% Cl; 1.3-34.5). No evidence of familial clustering of HCV infection was found with 2.2%(4/181) anti-HCV positivity among the household contacts of index cases, similar to 1.0%(1/102) among those of controls. History of acute hepatitis(OR 3.2), transfusion(OR 3.2), and acupuncture(OR 2.5) were associated with an increased risk of HCV infection. In conclusion, HBV has strong familial clustering whereas HCV does not in Korea.