Hepatitis B virus infection among Chinese residents in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Objective: To determine prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) serological markers in Chinese residents in the United Kingdom. Method: Retrospective case-controlled study between January 1997 and June 2000 in two genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics. Results: 117 Chinese and 234 non-Chinese controls were studied. Baseline characteristics except marital status showed no difference. Overall prevalence of HBV serological markers was 35.8% in Chinese, controls 5.5% (p<0.001). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive carrier rate was 12.8% in Chinese, controls 0.4% (p<0.001); 1.7% of Chinese patients were also hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive, none in controls. Natural immunity was acquired in 23.0% of Chinese, controls 5.1% (p<0.001). Prevalence of HBV serological markers in UK born Chinese was 6.7%, non-UK born Chinese 40.1% (p<0.011). Only 7.6% of Chinese had a history of previous HBV vaccination. Conclusions: Prevalence of HBV serological markers among Chinese patients attending two GUM clinics in London was high and only a minority of Chinese had immunisation against HBV. Although the prevalence of HBV markers in UK born Chinese was lower than non-UK born Chinese, they may be at continuous risk of HBV infection. Non-UK born Chinese patients attending GUM services in the United Kingdom should be targeted for screening and vaccination to reduce HBV transmission.

Hepatitis B infection and outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer treatment

“…In Chinese and Asian women, the carrier rate is up to 20% (8)(9)(10). In our hospital, the annual obstetric statistics indicated that up to 2007, the prevalence of HBV was still 10%.…”

“…In Hong Kong and China and among the Asian immigrant population in Australia or New Zealand as well as Chinese women in the United Kingdom, the prevalence of HBV is up to 20% (8)(9)(10). It is possible among populations with a high prevalence that HBV infection may be an unrecognized cause of subfertility and also affects the outcome of IVF and embryo transfer treatment.…”

Molecular and epidemiological characteristics of blood-borne virus infections among recent immigrants in Spain

“…It should be highlighted that many represented adopted immigrant children from Asia, where HBV is hyperendemic and vaccine prophylaxis programs in childhood are often not done [Lavanchy, 2004]. Several reports have underlined the high prevalence of HBV in immigrants can modify the declining trend of HBV infection in Western countries [Kawsar and Goh, 2002;Gjorup et al, 2003;Scotto et al, 2005]. In contrast to Africans and Asians, Latin Americans showed a low prevalence of HBV markers in the study population.…”

Low hepatitis B testing among migrants: a cross-sectional study in a UK city

“…10 A 2013 UK study demonstrated that 1.1% of tested individuals were positive for HBsAg; 11 in 2009, the prevalence of HBV among migrants in the UK was estimated to be 4%, 12 ranging from 0.1% to 17.4% depending on ethnic group and study method. [13][14][15][16][17][18] In 2012, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended that all people born in a country with HBV prevalence of ≥2% should be offered a HBV test and that testing is offered in primary care. 19 In 2011, approximately 7.5 million (13%) individuals living in England and Wales were born outside of the UK.…”