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- Title
Hepatitis B virus transmission in pre-adolescent schoolchildren in four multi-ethnic areas of England.
- Authors
BALOGUN, M. A.; PARRY, J. V.; MUTTON, K.; OKOLO, C.; BENONS, L.; BAXENDALE, H.; HARDIMAN, T.; BOXALL, E. H.; SIRA, J.; BROWN, M.; BARNETT, S.; GUNGABISSOON, U.; WILLIAMS, A.; KELLY, D. A.; VIJERATNAM, S.; IJAZ, S.; TAYLOR, B.; TEO, C. G.; RAMSAY, M. E.
- Abstract
The aim of this study was to estimate the amount of childhood hepatitis B virus transmission in children born in the UK, a very low-prevalence country, that is preventable only by universal hepatitis B immunization of infants. Oral fluid specimens were collected from schoolchildren aged 7–11 years in four inner city multi-ethnic areas and tested for the presence of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). Those found positive or indeterminate were followed up with testing on serum to confirm their hepatitis B status. The overall prevalence of anti-HBc in children was low [0·26%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·14–0·44]. The estimated average annual incidence of hepatitis B was estimated to be 29·26/100 000 children (95% CI 16·00–49·08). The total incidence that is preventable only by a universal infant immunization programme in the UK was estimated to be between 5·00 and 12·49/100 000. The study demonstrates that the extent of horizontal childhood hepatitis B virus transmission is low in children born in the UK and suggests that schools in the UK are an uncommon setting for the transmission of the virus. Targeted hepatitis B testing and immunization of migrants from intermediate- and high-prevalence countries is likely to be a more effective measure to reduce childhood transmission than a universal infant immunization programme.
- Subjects
ENGLAND; VIRAL transmission; HEPATITIS B virus; PRETEENS; SCHOOL children; IMMUNIZATION; ETHNIC groups; PUBLIC health
- Publication
Epidemiology & Infection, 2013, Vol 141, Issue 5, p916
- ISSN
0950-2688
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1017/S0950268812001513