Abstract
BackgroundBody fluids such as saliva and tears from patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are known as infectious agents. The infectivity of feces from patients with HBV infection has not been established. The aim of this study was to determine whether feces from HBV carriers can be a source of HBV infection.MethodsThirty-three children and 17 adults (ages 0–49 years, median age 13 years) who were chronically infected with HBV were enrolled. The levels of HBV DNA in the feces from these patients were quantified by real-time PCR, and the levels of fecal HBsAg were measured. Isolated human hepatocytes from chimeric mice with humanized livers were co-cultured with serum, tears and feces from the HBV carriers. Four chimeric mice were inoculated intravenously with sterilized feces from HBV carriers.ResultsHBV DNA was detected in the feces of 37 (74 %) of the 50 patients. The fecal HBV DNA levels ranged from 2.8 to 8.4 log copies/mL (mean ± SD = 5.6 ± 1.2 log copies/mL). A significant correlation was observed in the levels of HBV DNA between serum and feces (r = 0.54, p < 0.05). Of the 13 HBV carries, 7 (54 %) were positive for fecal HBsAg. The fecal HBsAg levels ranged from 0.06 to 1.0 IU/mL (median 0.28 IU/mL). Immunogold electron microscopy showed Dane particles in feces. HBV DNA was detected in the human hepatocytes co-cultured with serum and tears, but not in those co-cultured with feces. HBV DNA was not detected in the serum of the chimeric mice after oral or intravenous inoculation with sterilized fecal samples, which contained 5 log copies/mL of HBV DNA levels.ConclusionsAlthough the positive rate of fecal HBV DNA was high, the fecal HBsAg levels were extremely low. The chimeric mice were not infected with HBV after oral or intravenous inoculation with sterilized fecal samples. Therefore, feces from HBV carriers seem not to serve as an infectious vehicle for the transmission of HBV.
Highlights
Body fluids such as saliva and tears from patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are known as infectious agents
Patients and materials Between March 2011 and April 2012, 33 children and 17 adults (25 males, 25 females, age range 0–49 years; mean age ± SD, 17.1 ± 13.4 years; median age, 13 years), who were chronically infected with HBV were enrolled in this study
HBV DNA was detected in feces in 37 (74 %) of the 50 patients by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Summary
Body fluids such as saliva and tears from patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are known as infectious agents. The infectivity of feces from patients with HBV infection has not been established. The aim of this study was to determine whether feces from HBV carriers can be a source of HBV infection. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a global health problem. HBV is transmitted either perinatally or horizontally. Percutaneous and mucosal exposures to infectious blood or other body fluids are the routes of transmission [1]. Chronic HBV inflammation of the liver can increase the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma [1]. Hepatitis B vaccination is the most effective measure to prevent HBV infection.
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