![]() ![]() Among 2- to 4-yr-old toddlers, ∼25% will become chronic carriers ( Beasley et al. In contrast, only 5% of infants of HBeAg-negative HBsAg carrier mothers become chronic carriers and a small fraction may develop acute or fulminant hepatitis B ( Shiraki et al. Without immunoprophylaxis, perinatal transmission from highly infectious (HBeAg-positive) hepatitis B carrier mothers results in chronic infection in 90% of their infants ( Stevens et al. In endemic areas, perinatal mother-to-infant transmission is the most important route of transmission HBV infection is encountered mainly during infancy and early childhood.Īge at infection and source of infection affect the outcome of HBV infection ( Beasley 2009). Mother-to-infant transmission was called “vertical transmission” in the past, but this term is less frequently used now because it caused confusion with genetic transmission, which does not occur with HBV. HBV infection is transmitted through either a horizontal route or through a mother-to-infant route. To prevent HBV infection effectively, it is crucial to understand its route of transmission. TRANSMISSION ROUTE OF HBV AND OUTCOMES OF HBV INFECTION AT DIFFERENT AGES ![]() ![]() Looking back at the history of the development of the HBV vaccine and immunization strategies and exploring the existing problems might help to eliminate HBV-related diseases. Nevertheless, there are problems that hinder the success of HBV prevention globally. During the past three decades, it is proved to be safe and successful in protecting people from HBV infection and the related diseases worldwide. The development of an HBV vaccine using HBsAg protein from HBV carriers as the immunogen to induce anti-HBs, the protective antibody against HBV infection, is a successful pioneer in the history of vaccine development. Hence, prevention of HBV infection by immunization is the best way to eliminate HBV-related diseases ( Chen 2009). Despite the progress of antiviral therapy against HBV to suppress viral replication and to reduce complications in those with chronic hepatitis B, a cure for infection is still not possible. 1983 Kappus and Sterling 2013).įor hepatitis B, prevention is more effective than therapy. Children with HBVMN are primarily infected via horizontal transmission. Besides liver disease, HBV infection also causes extrahepatic diseases, such as HBV-associated membranous nephropathy (HBVMN). HCC is one of the most common causes of cancer death worldwide because of a poor prognosis and a high recurrence rate after curative therapy. Ultimately, around one-third of the chronically infected patients will eventually develop cirrhosis and HCC. Around 600,000 people die every year because of the acute or chronic consequences of the infection ( Once the infection becomes chronic, it is extremely refractory and is difficult to cure, despite recent developments of treatment measures ( Chen 2011). It is a potentially life-threatening infection, and is a major global health problem. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can cause acute, fulminant, or chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). ![]()
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