Universal HBV Vaccination Research Articles

Immune-Escape Mutations Are Prevalent among Patients with a Coexistence of HBsAg and Anti-HBs in a Tertiary Liver Center in the United States.

The concurrent seropositivity of HBsAg and anti-HBs has been described among patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), but its prevalence is variable. HBV S-gene mutations can affect the antigenicity of HBsAg. Patients with mutations in the 'α' determinant region of the S gene can develop severe HBV reactivation under immunosuppression. In this study at a tertiary liver center in the United States, we evaluated the frequency and virological characteristics of the HBsAg mutations among CHB patients with the presence of both HBsAg and anti-HBs. In this cohort, 45 (2.1%) of 2178 patients were identified to have a coexistence of HBsAg and anti-HBs, and 24 had available sera for the genome analysis of the Pre-S1, Pre-S2, and S regions. The frequency of mutations in the S gene was significantly higher among those older than 50 years (mean 8.5 vs. 5.4 mutations per subject, p = 0.03). Twelve patients (50%) had mutations in the 'α' determinant region of the S gene. Mutations at amino acid position 126 were most common in eight subjects. Three had a mutation at position 133. Only one patient had a mutation at position 145-the classic vaccine-escape mutation. Despite the universal HBV vaccination program, the vaccine-escape mutant is rare in our cohort of predominantly Asian patients.

The First 30 Years of the Universal Hepatitis-B Vaccination-Program in Italy: A Health Strategy with a Relevant and Favorable Economic-Profile.

In 1991, Italy was one of the first countries worldwide to introduce a universal hepatitis-B vaccination for children. Since then, epidemiological data have clearly demonstrated the huge clinical benefits of the vaccination. The aim of this study was to update the favorable economic impact of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination, 30 years after its implementation. A mathematical model was developed to simulate the clinical/economic impact of the universal HBV-vaccination program versus a hypothetical no-vaccination scenario as a posteriori analysis. We assessed the vaccination benefits over a 30-year-immunization-period (1991−2020), and the following period, 2021−2070. Our data showed a big drop in HBV-related diseases (−82% in infections, chronic disease, and hepatocellular-carcinoma cases), and related costs (−67% in the immunization period and −85% in 2021−2070), attributable to vaccination. The return on investment (ROI) and the benefit-to-cost (BCR) ratios are >1 for the first thirty-year-immunization-period, and are predicted to almost triplicate the economic savings in the period 2021−2070, both for the National Health Service (NHS) and from societal perspectives. Our model confirmed that the implementation of universal HBV-vaccination in Italy during the first 30 years continues to be a cost-saving strategy, and more advantageous effects will be further achieved in the future. The HBV-vaccination strategy greatly expresses a huge impact in both the short- and long-term, and from the clinical and economic point-of-views.

Molecular Characteristics of Hepatitis B Virus among Children Vaccinated with HBsAg Positive in Huzhou, China.

Objective: The HBV genotypes and surface gene mutation among children born after universal HBV vaccination program were not been clearly investigated in Huzhou, China. Thus, the present study was to investigate HBV genotypes and surface gene mutation in vaccinated children in this area.
 Methods: Serum samples were collected from 58 children who were chronic HBV infected in Huzhou. The surface gene of HBV were amplified and direct sequencing. Then, the mutations were analyzed.
 Results: Fifty-six sample were sequenced successfully. The genotype of HBV was genotype B in 45 children and genotype C in 11 children, respectively. Major serotype was adw (42), followed by adr (11) and ayw (3). Sequence analysis showed that 18 amino acid (AA) substitutions sites in major hydrophilic region (MHR) were identified in children (37.5%, 21/56). Most of the substitutions were associated with vaccine immune escape. The genotypes B had a high mutations frequency in the second loop than genotype C. Of note, eight children with low level anti-HBs were still infected with HBV.
 Conclusion: The predominant genotype and serotype were B and adw among children in Huzhou. Genotype B, MHR mutations, and low anti-HBs levels might be related to immunization failure, although the large-scare vaccination program remarkably decreased the infection of HBV in children, strengthen immunization is recommend in children with low level anti-HBs.

Comparative analysis of hepatitis B virus infections in blood donors born before and after the implementation of universal HBV vaccination in southern China.

In China, the vaccinated blood donors have rapidly increased by recent years, which may impact blood safety. The true prevalence of HBV between vaccinated blood donors and non-vaccinated blood donors should be explored. The samples of blood donors were collected and detected for serologic markers of HBV in the Shenzhen Blood Centre (SZBC). The discrepant results were tested with commercial electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ELCI) for HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, Anti-HBe and Anti-HBc, alternative MPX ID NAT, nested PCR, and a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for HBV DNA. The serological and molecular characteristics of HBV infected blood donors were analysed, and the effects on blood safety for donors born before and after the implementation of universal HBV vaccination were compared. Out of 242 presumed HBV infected donors from 26 318 donations, 131 (0.49%, [95% CI, 0.43-0.59]) chronic HBV infections (CHB, HBsAg detected with or without DNA), 58 (0.22%, [95% CI, 0.17-0.28]) occult hepatitis B infections (OBI, HBsAg not detected, assume anti-HBc positive and/or anti-HBs with HBV DNA) and 3 (0.011%, [95% CI, 0.0023-0.033]) window period (WP) infections were confirmed respectively. There were 28 CHBs (0.44%), 7 OBIs (0.11%) and 1 WP (0.016%) from vaccinated blood donor and 103 CHBs (0.52%), 51 OBIs (0.26%) and 2 WPs (0.01%) from non-vaccinated blood donor. The HBV+ (CHBs, OBIs and WPs) rate (0.56%) in vaccinated donors was lower than in non-vaccinated donors (0.78%, p < 0.05). The HBsAg titers of vaccinated infected blood donors (Median: 128.8IU/ml) were much higher than non-vaccinated infected blood donors (58.4IU/ml). The OBI yield rates in the vaccinated blood donors was significantly lower than the non-vaccinated blood donors (p < 0.05). There 102/124 (82.3%) samples were genotype B, 22/124 (17.7%) were genotype C respectively. There was no significant difference in the distribution of genotype between non-vaccinated blood donors (B/C, 86/17) and vaccinated blood donors (B/C, 23/6; p > 0.05). High frequency of vaccine escape mutations M133L (32.4%) and E164G in S region of genotype B strains and substitution L175S (40.9%) related to vaccine escape in S region of genotype C strains were identified. The universal HBV vaccination program markedly reduces the risk of HBV infection in blood donors, and provides a significant guarantee for the safety of blood transfusion. Several important mutations detected related vaccine escape and notable mutations needed further investigated.

Universal HBV Vaccination Dramatically Reduces Prevalence of HBV Infection and Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Universal HBV Vaccination Dramatically Reduces Prevalence of HBV Infection and Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Effect of a Nationwide Universal HBV Vaccination Program and Catch-up Vaccination Campaign on HBV Prevalence in Children

Effect of a Nationwide Universal HBV Vaccination Program and Catch-up Vaccination Campaign on HBV Prevalence in Children

Universal HBV vaccination programme with antenatal HBsAg screening cost saving in Israel

Universal HBV vaccination programme with antenatal HBsAg screening cost saving in Israel

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B antibodies among international and domestic university students.

Chronic hepatitis B prevalence is low in most Australian populations, with universal infant HBV vaccination introduced in 2000. Migrants from high prevalence countries are at risk of acquisition before arrival and non-immune adults are potentially at risk through skin penetrating procedures and sexual contact, particularly during international travel. The risk profile of young adult students, many from high prevalence countries, is inadequately understood. A cross-sectional online survey conducted among university students collected data on demographic, vaccination and travel characteristics and blood samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) and hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb). Analyses identified factors associated with HBsAb seroprevalence and self-reported vaccination. The serosurvey was completed by 804 students born between 1988 and 1993, with 613/804 (76.2%, 95% CI 73.2-79.1) self-reporting prior HBV vaccination. Overall, 526/804 (65.4%, 95% CI 62.0%-68.6%) students were seropositive to HBsAb, including 438/613 (71.5%, 95% CI 67.8-74.9) students self-reporting a prior HBV vaccine and 88/191 (46.1%, 95% CI 39.2-53.2) students self-reporting no prior HBV vaccine. Overall, 8/804 (1.0%, 95% CI 0.5%-2.0%) students were HBcAb positive, of whom 1/804 (0.1%, 95% CI 0.02%-0.7%) was currently infectious. The prevalence of chronic HBV infection was low. However, more than one in four students were susceptible to HBV and over-estimated their immunity. Future vaccination efforts should focus on domestic students born before the introduction of the infant program and all international students. Screening and vaccination of students, including through campus-based health services, are an opportunity to catch-up young adults prior to undertaking at-risk activities, including international travel.

STUDY OF PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS B SURFACE ANTIGEN (HBSAG) IN BLOOD DONOR POPULATION BORN PRIOR TO AND AFTER IMPLEMENTATION OF HBV VACCINATION IN KERALA, SOUTH INDIA

BACKGROUND: Since 1995 Hepatitis B vaccination became a part of Extended immunization Program (EIP) in India, neonates started getting immunoprophylaxis against Hepatitis B virus. Since vaccination started recently, exact prevalence of immunized persons were not available, but anyway vaccinated blood donors over 18 years old are progressively increasing MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study 2400 blood donors were screened for HBsAg by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays, among the donor blood samples which are positive for HBsAg were noted. Various demographic patterns of blood donor were analyzed. To know about impact of vaccination on prevalence HBV infection among donors who born after the implementation of mandatory HBV vaccination schedule was compared with blood donors those who are born before HBV vaccination schedule RESULTS: Among the blood donors overall prevalence of HBV infection was 0.75% HBsAg. HBV vaccinated blood donor were protected from getting disease ,showing P value of 18 years (0.07), 19 years(0.01), 20 years(0.02) CONCLUSION: Young blood donors born after implementation of universal HBV vaccination in lndia presented higher prevalence of HBsAg but lower incidence of HBsAg seroconversion than older. HBV vaccine boosting for adolescents at 15–17 years old prior to reaching blood donor age may improve blood safety.

Is hepatitis delta underestimated?

Hepatitis D virus may be underestimated because it is a significant problem in HBsAg-positive patients, especially those who inject drugs, have HIV or HCV co-infections and/or live in certain endemic regions. In the past few decades, the prevalence of HDV was expected to have decreased as a result of improvements in public healthcare policies and universal HBV vaccination programs. However, HDV has continued to spread in low-income countries, with local outbreaks and migration to less endemic areas, so that its prevalence has remained stable or even increased in certain regions. As a result, research has been focused on the epidemiology of HDV. Contradicting data from three large recent meta-analyses have reported that the prevalence of HDV may be between 0.16% and 1.00% in the global general population, and 4.5% and 14.6% in HBsAg-positive patients, with an estimated 12 to 70 million HDV patients worldwide. The exact prevalence and estimated number of HDV patients is still a subject of debate for several reasons, including the unreliable assessment of the infection and a lack of real-world screening. HDV infection is associated with an increased risk of progression to cirrhosis and the development of HCC compared to patients with HBV mono-infection, a risk which is even higher in patients with HIV co-infection. Morbidity and mortality from HDV-related cirrhosis should not be overlooked. In conclusion, hepatitis D virus is probably underestimated and certainly underdiagnosed, and screening for HDV should be performed in all HBsAg-positive patients in clinical practice.

Ending risk-group HBV vaccination for MSM after the introduction of universal infant HBV vaccination: A mathematical modelling study

BackgroundRisk-group HBV vaccination for men who have sex with men (MSM) was introduced in the Netherlands in 2002, followed by universal infant vaccination in 2011, that will enable termination of risk-group vaccination over time. The introduction of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention might result in increased HBV testing and vaccination against HBV. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the transition from risk-group to universal HBV vaccination, accounting for improvements in HBV testing and treatment, as well as the introduction of PrEP. MethodsWe developed a mathematical model for HBV transmission among MSM. Universal vaccination was modelled by assigning some MSM (5–15% in 2028 increasing to 80–90% in 2033 and thereafter) to be vaccinated when they become sexually active. We investigated different scenarios assuming 0.5% extra vaccination rate and 0.5% extra testing rate due to PrEP consultations; and 5% of HIV-negative MSM on PrEP, that will reduce the probability of HBV acquisition by 88%. ResultsUniversal vaccination resulted in a reduction of 24% (interquartile range; 22–25%) of the total number of HBV infections among MSM estimated to occur from 2020 to 2070. With universal vaccination, terminating risk-group vaccination in 2030 or 2040 resulted in 30% or 10% more HBV infections over 2020–2070, respectively, compared to continuation of risk-group vaccination until 2070. With PrEP and continued risk-group vaccination, the total number of HBV infections over 2020–2070 was reduced by 13%. ConclusionsUniversal HBV vaccination can lead to a major reduction in HBV incidence among MSM in the future. The reduction becomes smaller when ending risk-group HBV vaccination, but larger by PrEP use for HIV prevention. Efforts to keep high levels of HBV vaccination, testing, and treatment have to be continued in the coming decades in order to eliminate HBV as a health threat for MSM.

The effect of universal infant vaccination on the prevalence of hepatitis B immunity in adult solid organ transplant candidates.

BackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) immunity is recommended to optimize outcomes after solid organ transplantation (SOT). This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of HBV immunity at the time patients were placed on transplant waiting list over a period from 1997 to 2019 in a low HBV endemic region.MethodsData were obtained from the University Hospitals Leuven transplant database. Minors and patients with past/current HBV infection were excluded. From 1986, Belgian patients are covered by the universal infant vaccination; therefore, birth cohort was stratified in those born ≥1986 vs <1986.ResultsThe study population consisted of 3297 SOT candidates. HBV immunity rate was superior in renal transplant candidates (55.3%), and this number was 21.5%, 15.4% and 16.8% for liver, cardiac and pulmonary transplant candidates, respectively, P < .001. Among liver transplant candidates, HBV immunity rate was 14.8% in decompensated cirrhotic patients and 27.9% in those without advanced cirrhosis (P < .001). The overall immunity rate increased from 19.3% in period 1997‐2008 to 32.8% in 2009‐2019, P < .001. In multivariable analyses, younger age (odds ratio (OR) 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97‐0.98, P < .001) and birth cohort ≥ 1986 (OR 95% CI: 1.18‐2.66, P = .006) were associated with increased HBV immunity.ConclusionAn increase in HBV immunity was observed over a 20‐year period related to the introduction of universal infant HBV vaccination. Nevertheless, this study highlights the low overall HBV immunity at the time of listing for organ transplantation and points out the need of an increased awareness and vaccination strategy at an early disease stage.

Changing incidence of reported viral hepatitis in China from 2004 to 2016: an observational study

ObjectiveChina’s national hepatitis burden is high. This study aims to provide a detailed national-level description of the reported incidence of viral hepatitis in China during 2004–2016.DesignObservational study.SettingData were obtained from...

Effect of Population-Wide Hepatitis B Vaccination in Preventing Liver Cancer Among Children and Young Adults in the United States

Background: Liver cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer worldwide1. In 2013, 79,2000 new cases of liver cancer and 818,000 deaths occurred globally2,3. Chronic infection with HBV accounts for at least 50% of liver cancer globally4. In the United States (US), liver cancer constitute the ninth leading cause of cancer death. The incidence of the cancer has persistently increased in the recent decades. Universal HBV vaccination was introduced in 1992 in the US. However, incidence trends of liver cancer among US children is poorly researched or relevant studies are not up-to-date5. Aim: This study aims to explore the effect of HBV population-wide vaccination program in reducing liver cancer incidence in the vaccinated children and adolescents in the US. Methods: Liver cancer incidence data were obtained from Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5) databases (volumes I to X) from International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC). Data acquisition and analysis covered available incidence data between 1978-2007 from 9 cancer registries from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) from the US presented in the CI5 databases. Age-specific incidence rates of liver cancer (based on 5 year age groups ie 5-9 year, 10-14 year and 15-19 years) were calculated using age and sex-disaggregated incidence and population data from the SEER cancer registries. Stata software version 14.0 (StataCorp, USA) was used to calculate age-specific incidence rates, using number of liver cancer incident cases in each age group by the number of population in the respective age group. Age-specific rates were analyzed by period of diagnosis and by birth year. Rate ratios were estimated from age-group-specific Poisson regressions. Results: A total of 140 liver cancer incident cases were registered in the 9 SEER registries between 1978 to 2007 in the US. The incidence rate of liver cancer in children 5 to 9 years of age from 1978-1982 was 0.10 per 100,000 children. The incidence increased to 0.16 for the period from 2003-2007. The same trend is seen for the age group 10-14 and 15-19 years of age. Overall, age-specific incidence rates for liver cancer increased across age groups of 5-9, 10-14 and 15-19 year in the population covered by the 9 SEER registries in the US. However, risk estimates (incidence rate ratios, resulted from age-group-specific Poisson regressions did not show statistical significant effects. Conclusion: While the global response to implement population-wide HBV vaccination program is out of question, efforts to establish processes to evaluate the effect of such programs seems to be incomparably limited. Estimating the effect of HBV vaccination will relatively improve with time as further incidence data become available eg upon publication of data from new volume of CI5 databases.

Long-term immunity to hepatitis B following vaccination in infancy: Real-world data analysis

BackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination has decreased the prevalence of chronic HBV infections and their sequelae. However, whether vaccination at birth provides lifelong protection is unclear. ObjectiveTo assess long-term immunity following neonatal HBV immunization in a large population-based cohort. MethodsUsing the database of a 2 million member sick fund in Israel, we identified all subjects born after introduction of universal HBV vaccination in Israel (January 1992 through December 2014), that were tested for hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs Ab's). Years since vaccination were categorized into 5-year groups and linear trends in the seroprevalence of HBV immunity were calculated. Anamnestic response and presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) were assessed. ResultsIncluded were 20,634 tested individuals. Mean (±SD) age at testing was 14.8 (±5.4) years. Mean anti-HBs Ab levels declined with time to 16.39 mIU/ml in the 15–20 year group (P < 0.001). The proportion of negative results increased gradually (P < 0.001) to 66.7% after 15 years. Anamnestic response assessment showed that 604 of 644 seronegative subjects (93.8%, 95% CI: 91.6–95.5%) became seropositive after a booster dose. HBs Ag was identified in 91 of the 20,634 (4.4 per 1000 study participants). ConclusionsFollowing vaccination, anti-HB's Ab's progressively decline, with only a third of the population retaining protective levels after 15 years. In adolescence, anamnestic response shows that nearly all revaccinated adolescents exhibit immunity. A low rate of Hepatitis B infection was demonstrated despite vaccination of nearly all newborns.

Decline and changing profile of hepatitis delta among injection drug users in Spain.

Roughly 15 million people worldwide have hepatitis delta, the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis that often leads to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Injection drug users (IDUs) are the largest HDV reservoir. Their resurgence in North America and Europe may represent a new opportunity for HDV to spread more widely. We examined all consecutive active IDUs seen for the first time and enrolled in detoxification programmes at two clinics in Spain during two periods (1993-1996 and 2011-2014, respectively). Serum markers of HIV, HBV and HDV infection were tested. A total of 209 IDUs were examined in the first period. Mean age was 27-years-old. All had markers of past or current HBV infection. The rate of HIV-antibody (Ab), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HDV-Ab was as follows: 122 (58.4%), 73 (34.9%) and 62 (29.7%), respectively. Serum HDV-Ab was recognized in 53.4% of HBsAg+ and 16.9% of HBsAg- patients (P<0.001). Positivity for HDV-Ab was associated with HIV regardless HBsAg status. In the second period we tested 47 active IDUs. Anti-HDV was found in only two (4.2%), both immigrants from HDV endemic countries and with HBsAg+. Acute HBV-HDV coinfections and self-limited HDV infections were frequent in the 1990s among IDUs in Spain, especially in HIV+ individuals. In contrast, circulation of HDV has dramatically declined among active IDUs in Spain and is currently very rare, being concentrated in foreign immigrants. It may reflect the benefit of universal HBV vaccination as well as the success of needle exchange programmes in Spain.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B Surface antigen among apparently healthy primary school pupils in Batagarawa Local Government area of Katsina State, Nigeria

Introduction : Hepatitis B virus infection is a major public health problem worldwide. It is more infectious and more in Nigeria than the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It is a major risk factor for the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer in hyperendemic areas. This study was carried out between 8th January and 7th March, 2012, to assess the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection among apparently healthy primary school pupils in Batagarawa Local Government, Katsina state. Methods : Hepatitis B surface antigen was tested for in 240 apparently healthy primary school pupils in Batagarawa Local Government, Katsina state in North- Western Nigeria using commercial recombinant enzyme-based HBsAg test strip. Results : Of the 240 samples screened, 56 (23.3%) were seropositive. HBsAg seroprevalence was higher among children aged 7 – 9 years (7.9%), and among male (15.8%) than female (7.8%) subjects. Of the predisposing factors for HBV infection studied, traditional circumcision among the male subjects recorded the highest prevalence of 30%. Conclusion : The high prevalence of HBV infection amongst the subjects studied strongly suggests that urgent preventive measures, particularly health education of the general public on HBV infection and provision of universal HBV vaccination should be given urgent priority. Keywords : Children, HBsAg, Primary school, Seroprevalence

Influence of universal HBV vaccination on chronic HBV infection in Italy: Results of a cross-sectional multicenter study.

The universal hepatitis B vaccination for infants and 12-year-old adolescents (the latter limited to the first 12 years of application) was launched in Italy in 1991. Twenty-three years later we evaluated the impact of the vaccination campaign on the burden of HBsAg-positive chronic liver diseases (CLD). A total of 513 HBsAg-positive chronic carriers referring to 16 Italian liver units were investigated and compared with HBsAg carriers enrolled in previous surveys. The proportion of inactive carriers decreased from 20.0% in 2001 to 3.3% in 2014, while that of cirrhotic patients increased from 22.6% to 33.2%. Regarding the age class 0-33 (fully covered by HBV vaccination in 2014), the rate of inactive carriers decreased from the 21.7% in 2001 to 5.9% in 2014, that of chronic hepatitis from 17.5% to 5.2% and that of cirrhosis cases from 26.4% to 4.1%. Instead, in the over-60 age group the rate of inactive carriers increased from 22.8% to 41.2% and that of chronic hepatitis from 16.8% to 46%; the rate of patients with cirrhosis ranged from 5% to 8% in different studies. Twenty-three years after the introduction universal HBV vaccination in Italy, the clinical presentation of CLD had shown a shift toward older ages and more severe diseases.

Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in a blood donor population born prior to and after implementation of universal HBV vaccination in Shenzhen, China.

BackgroundNeonatal hepatitis B vaccination program at birth has been implemented nationwide since 1992 in China. However, current HBV prevalence status in blood donors has not been entirely examined, which may impact HBV safety in blood donations as the vaccinees over 18 years old progressively become the majority population of blood donors.MethodsIn this study, 569,145 blood donors were screened for HBsAg by rapid tests and enzyme immunoassays, among them 475,538 blood samples with negative HBsAg were further screened for HBV DNA by nucleic acid testing between 2005 and 2014 at Shenzhen blood center.ResultsAn overall 2.3 % HBsAg prevalence was found in the blood donor population during the past 10 years (2.86 % in 2005, 1.76 % in 2010, and 2.79 % in 2014, respectively). HBsAg seroconversion occurred in 0.37 % of repeat-donors. When stratified by age, the prevalence of HBsAg was found significantly higher in younger donors age 18–25 years (2.73 %) than in those 26–35 years (2.13 %), 36–45 years (2.03 %) and 46–58 years (1.71 %) (P < 0.001), unexpectedly suggesting that younger donors remained at risk of chronic HBV infection. Assuming that donors aged 18–22 born before or after 1992 were non-vaccinated and vaccinated, respectively, HBsAg prevalence was higher in first-time donors born ≥1992 (3.9 %) than prior to 1992 (3.5 %, P = 0.005). The incidence of HBV infection in the 5-year period examined was significantly lower in repeat-donors born ≥1992 (0.27 %) than prior to 1992 (0.6 %, P = 0.008). The yield of HBV DNA+/HBsAg- donors was 1:3,302, including 1:4,486 occult infections and 1:43,231 window period infections.ConclusionYoung blood donors born after implementation of universal HBV vaccination in China presented higher prevalence of HBsAg but lower incidence of HBsAg seroconversion than older, presumed unvaccinated, donors. HBV vaccine boosting for adolescents at 15–17 years old prior to reaching blood donor age might help improve blood safety.

Chronic HBV: which pregnant women should be treated?

Universal HBV vaccination in infants has led to a dramatic decline of HBsAg prevalence in many parts of the world, but the positive rate of HBsAg in women of childbearing age is still high in endemic areas. Antiviral therapy during pregnancy may be indicated to control the liver disease of the mother or to prevent the MTCT. The decision on initiation, switching, continuation or stopage of the antiviral therapy should be made after careful consideration of the benefit and risk to both mothers and foetuses. For prepregnant women of childbearing age, a finite course of interferon is preferred if a pregnancy in the distant future is planned, whereas safer NAs could be started if a pregnancy in the near future is desired. For those who already started therapy with interferon or NAs before pregnancy, the switch to safer NAs is preferred. For women with newly diagnosed or with flare of CHB during pregnancy, category B NAs may be taken to treat their liver disease. For pregnant women with serum HBV DNA >10(6-7) IU/ml, safer NAs could be started in the third trimester to further the reduce MTCT rate.