OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pattern of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the prevalence of hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection among voluntary blood donors who tested reactive for HBV in Wuhan, and to provide data support for the prevention and treatment of HBV and HDV infections. METHODS: Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) method was used to detect hepatitis B serological markers in the samples with HBsAg and/or HBV DNA reactivity, and the HBV infection in different groups was statistically analyzed. The HDV IgM and IgG antibodies were screened by ELISA, and the prevalence of HDV infection in the retained samples was analyzed. RESULTS: In 351 ELISA and/or nucleic acid test (NAT) reactive samples, the serological tests for hepatitis B revealed that 4 cases (1.1%) were positive for HBsAg, HBeAg, and anti-HBc, 182 cases (51.9%) were positive for HBsAg, anti-HBe, and anti-HBc, and 55 cases (15.7%) were negative for HBsAg but positive for anti-HBc. Among them, the HBsAg ELISA dual reagent reactive group (HBsAg R&R group) and the HBsAg ELISA single reagent reactive/HBV DNA reactive group (HBsAg R&NR/HBV DNA R group) had the highest rates of HBsAg(+), anti-HBe(+), and anti-HBc(+), accounting for more than 90% and 65%, respectively, followed by low activity of HBV acute infection or chronic carriers, accounting for about 5% and 20%, respectively. In the HBsAg R&NR/HBV DNA NR group, the combined proportion of individuals with anti-HBs single positive and all hepatitis B serological markers negative accounted for 78%, and those who were HBsAg negative but anti-HBc positive accounted for approximately 20%. In the HBsAg NR&NR/HBV DNA R group, there was nearly 9% of HBsAg(+), anti-HBe(+), and anti-HBc(+), the remaining were all HBsAg negative but anti-HBc positive, with a 100% anti-HBc positivity rate in this group. No HDV IgM or IgG antibodies were detected in the retained samples. CONCLUSION Blood donors with HBV-reactive results in blood screening exhibit multiple patterns of infection indicators. The prevalence rate of HDV infection among blood donors in Wuhan is extremely low. However, the risk of asymptomatic occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) blood donors being co-infected with HDV should not be overlooked in areas with high prevalence of HBV.
Humans ; Blood Donors ; Hepatitis B/blood* ; China/epidemiology* ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Hepatitis D/epidemiology* ; Middle Aged ; Hepatitis B virus/immunology* ; Hepatitis B Antibodies/blood* ; Young Adult ; DNA, Viral/blood* ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/blood* ; Prevalence ; Adolescent

Hepatitis B is a global public health concern. Inducing hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) through vaccination is a crucial preventive strategy. However, individuals show varying immune responses to the hepatitis B vaccine. Based on HBsAb levels, individuals can be categorized as high responders, low responders, or non-responders. T cells and their subsets play critical roles in modulating this response, and the composition of the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire also influences immune responsiveness. Investigating the characteristics of T cells, their subsets, and TCR repertoires in individuals with differential responses post-vaccination may provide theoretical guidance for optimizing vaccine design and immunization strategies.
Humans ; Hepatitis B Vaccines/immunology* ; Hepatitis B/immunology* ; Vaccination ; Hepatitis B Antibodies/blood* ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology* ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology* ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/immunology* ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology*

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To analyze the characteristics of lymphocyte phenotypes in hepatitis B virus (HBV) transgenic mice and the effect of exogenous interferon-α on virological profiles and lymphocytes phenotypes of the mice.

<b>METHODSb>HBV transgenic mice and wild-type (WT) mice were examined for serum levels of HBsAg, HBcAb, IL-21, and IL-6 using ELISA. The frequencies of CD4(+)T and CD19(+)B cells separated from the liver, spleen, and peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. Nine HBV transgenic mice were injected subcutaneously with recombinant mouse interferon alpha (rmIFN-α) and another 9 transgenic mice were injected with PBS, and their HBsAg, HBV DNA, IL-6, and IL-21 levels and frequencies of peripheral blood CD4(+)T and CD19(+)B cells were detected.

<b>RESULTSb>HBV transgenic mice showed a high level of HBsAg with a detectable level of HBcAb and significantly increased serum levels of IL-21 and IL-6 as compared with WT mice (P<0.05). The transgenic mice had a significantly lower frequency of CD4(+) T cells in the peripheral blood, liver and spleen (P<0.05) but a significantly higher frequency of CD19(+) B cells in the liver (P<0.05). An inverse correlation between intrahepatic CD4(+) T cell frequency and serum HBsAg level while a positive correlation between intrahepatic CD19(+) B cell frequency and HBcAb level were found in HBV transgenic mice. Administration of rmIFN-α significantly increased the frequencies of CD4(+) T and CD19(+) B cells in the peripheral blood and the serum level of IL-6 in HBV transgenic mice (P<0.05).

<b>CONCLUSIONb>HBV transgenic mice have lymphocyte subset dysregulation and exogenous interferon-α can modulate the immune function of the mice by regulating the frequencies of lymphocyte subsets.

Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; B-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Hepatitis B ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; Interferon-alpha ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Interleukins ; blood ; Liver ; immunology ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Phenotype ; T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To examine the influence of three-booster-doses hepatitis B vaccines on children with normal and high antibody response to primary vaccination.

<b>METHODSb>Antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) were detected after primary vaccination and children with normal or high response to hepatitis B primary vaccination at infancy, were identified. Children who were given three booster doses were selected to form the booster group and who were given no booster dose were 1∶1 matched with the same gender and residence to form the control group. Blood samples were obtained from all the participants and tested for anti-HBs and anti-HBc, 5 years after the primary vaccination.

<b>RESULTSb>The positive rates of anti-HBs response to primary vaccination were 97.39% (224/230, 95% CI: 94.41%-99.04%) in the booster group and 53.91% (124/230, 95% CI: 47.24%-60.48%) in the control group (P<0.05), 5 years after the primary vaccination. Geometric mean concentration (GMC) of anti-HBs were 1 140.02 (887.46-1 464.46) mIU/ml in the booster group and 11.53 (8.73-15.23) mIU/ml in the control group (P<0.05). The prevalence rates of breakthrough HBV infection were 0.87% (2/230) in the booster group and 2.17%(5/230) in the control group (P>0.05). RESULTS from the multivariable analysis showed that the booster doses (OR=38.75, 95%CI: 16.23-92.54) and the level of anti-HBs after the primary vaccination (OR =3.06, 95%CI:1.51-6.17) were independently associated with the positive rates of anti-HBs, 5 years after the primary vaccination (P<0.05).

<b>CONCLUSIONb>Programs with three booster doses to children that showing normal and high antibody response to primary vaccination could improve the persistence of anti-HBs but possibly would not be able to prevent the HBV infection.

Antibody Formation ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Hepatitis B ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Immunization, Secondary ; Infant ; Prevalence ; Treatment Outcome ; Vaccination

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To analyze the development of liver damage and reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) during the treatment of extremely severe burn injury in HBsAg positive patients, in order to provide reference for prevention and treatment of liver damage in patients with HBV infection after extremely severe burn.

<b>METHODSb>Medical records of 54 HBsAg positive patients after extremely severe burn injury admitted from January 2004 to December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Development of liver damage and HBV reactivation of these patients during the treatment were analyzed according to the classification of their gender, results of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and HBV DNA examinations on admission, and development of sepsis in the process of treatment. Data were processed with chi-square test.

<b>RESULTSb>(1) The incidence of liver damage in the process of treatment of these patients was 85.2% (46/54). Among all the patients, the proportion of liver damage was 35/38 in male, which was significantly higher than that in female (11/16, χ² = 4.867, P<0.05). Liver damage was found in all of 26 patients who were HBeAg positive on admission, 34 patients who were HBV DNA positive on admission, and 36 patients who developed sepsis in the process of treatment; the proportions were significantly higher than those in patients who were HBeAg negative on admission (20/28), patients who were HBV DNA negative on admission (12/20), and patients who did not develop sepsis in the process of treatment (10/18), with χ² values respectively 11.801, 18.384, and 20.574, P values below 0.01. (2) The incidence of HBV reactivation in these patients was 29.6% (16/54). Among all the patients, the proportion of HBV reactivation was 13/38 in male and 3/16 in female, with no statistically significant difference between them (χ² = 0.656, P>0.05). The proportions of HBV reactivation in patients who were HBeAg positive on admission, patients who were HBV DNA positive on admission, and patients who developed sepsis in the process of treatment were respectively 13/26, 16/34, and 15/36, and they were significantly higher than those in patients who were HBeAg negative on admission (3/28), patients who were HBV DNA negative on admission (0/20), and patients who did not develop sepsis in the process of treatment (1/18), with χ² values respectively 9.979, 18.615, and 5.873, P<0.05 or P<0.01.

<b>CONCLUSIONSb>Patients who are HBsAg positive, HBeAg positive, HBV DNA positive on admission, and develop sepsis in the process of treatment of extremely severe burn injury are more likely to develop liver damage and HBV reactivation. It is necessary to dynamically monitor the changes in HBV DNA and liver function, in order to identity the reactivation of virus.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Burns ; complications ; drug therapy ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; DNA, Viral ; Female ; Hepatitis Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; virology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; pathology ; virology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To access the antibody persistence 24-month after revaccination with 3-dose of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) among non-response adults.

<b>METHODSb>A total of 24 237 healthy adults who had no histories of hepatitis B infection and hepatitis B vaccination, resided in the local area for more than six months and were aged 18-49 years were selected from 79 villages of Zhangqiu county, Shandong province, China in 2009. Blood samples were obtained and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) and antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) were detected using ELISA method. A total of 11 590 persons who were negative for all of these indicators were divided into four groups by cluster sampling methods. Each group was vaccinated with one of the following four types of HepB at 0-, 1-, 6-months schedule: 20 µg HepB derived in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae (HepB-SC), 20 µg HepB derived in Chinese hamster ovary cell (HepB-CHO), 10 µg HepB-SC and 10 µg HepB derived in Hansenula Polymorpha (HepB-HP). Blood samples were collected one month after the third dose of primary immunization and tested for anti-HBs using chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). The non-responders were revaccinated with three doses of HepB at 0-, 1-, 6-months schedule and the type of HepB was the same as which was used for primary immunization. Blood samples were collected one month (T1) and two years (T24) after revaccination and anti-HBs, antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and hepatitis B surface angtigen (HBsAg) (if anti-HBs < 10 mU/ml) were detected by CMIA. χ(2) test was used to compared age, gender and body mass index (BMI) between different groups and the anti-HBs positive rate at T1 and T24; analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the geometric mean concentration (GMC) of anti-HBs between difference groups. The risk factors associated with positive rate of anti-HBs and GMC of anti-HBs were identified by multiple logistic regression analysis and multifactor linear regression model analysis respectively.

<b>RESULTSb>A total of 900 non-responders were identified and 71.7% (645/900) of them completed three-dose revaccination and blood collection after revaccination. 467 (72.4%) non-responsive adults were followed up at T24. The anti-HBs positive rate decreased from 85.65% (95% CI: 82.14%-88.71%) at T1 to 60.60% (95% CI: 56.01%-65.06%) at T24 and the corresponding GMC decreased from 175.62 (95% CI: 139.03-221.84) mU/ml to 21.43 (95% CI: 17.62-26.06) mU/ml. Multivariate analysis showed that positive rate of anti-HBs at T24 was associated with gender, HepB type for revaccination and anti-HBs level at T1, but only anti-HBs level at T1 was associated with the anti-HBs titer at T24. No subject showed HBsAg seroconversion and anti-HBc conversion rate was 3.64% (17/467) at T24.

<b>CONCLUSIONb>Anti-HBs titer decreases rapidly two years after HepB revaccination among non-responsive adults, but more than half non-responderd still kept anti-HBs above protective level. The immunity durability after revaccination was associated with gender, HepB type for revaccination and anti-HBs titer one month after revaccination.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; Body Mass Index ; CHO Cells ; China ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; classification ; Humans ; Immunization, Secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pichia ; Risk Factors ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; Seroconversion ; Vaccination ; Young Adult

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To investigate the epidemic status of Hepatitis B in children aged 1-14 in 3 counties of Guangdong province in 2013, and to evaluate the effect of hepatitis control in children aged 1-14 after hepatitis B vaccine was integrated into the national immunization program in 2002 and catch-up vaccination was conducted from 2009 to 2011.

<b>METHODSb>A multi-stage stratified random sampling was designed to survey 1 621 children aged 1-14 in rural area of Nanxiong county, Haifeng county and Xinxing county by questionnaires including general information, medical history and risk factors. The samples were tested with chemiluminescence method to detect hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to HbsAg (anti-HBs) and antibody to HBV core antigen (anti-HBc). Chi-square test was used to compare the positive rate of HBV serum markers in different age groups, vaccine histories, birth weight and HBV infection status of mother.

<b>RESULTSb>Among the children aged 1-14 in 3 counties rural regions of Guangdong province, the positive rate of HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc was 1.11% (18/1 621), 60.69% (982/1 618) and 1.92% (31/1 617), respectively. The HBsAg positive rate of vaccinated children (0.84%, 13/1 547) was lower than that of unvaccinated children (1/13) or children with unknown vaccination status (6.56%, 4/61) (χ² = 22.64, P < 0.001). The HBsAg positive rate (0.45%, 5/1 118) of the children with birth-dose given within 24 hours was lower than those that of children given beyond 24 hours (2.63%, 61/190) (χ² = 10.21, P < 0.001). The HBsAg positive rate (5/18) of children with birth weight under 2 kilogram was higher than that of children with birth weight above 2 kilogram (0.78%, 12/1 548) (χ² = 120.8, P < 0.001). The HBsAg positive rate of children born to HBsAg-positive mothers (2.80%, 3/107) was higher than that of children born to HBsAg-negative mothers (0.21%, 1/470) (χ² = 8.50, P = 0.004). With the age increasing, the coverage and timely birth-dose coverage of Hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) decreased, and the positive rate of anti-HBs gradually decreased.

<b>CONCLUSIONb>After the catch-up vaccination was conducted in unvaccinated children aged 1-14 years from 2009 to 2011, the HBsAg and anti-HBc positive rate decreased, while the anti-HBs positive rate increased significantly.

Adolescent ; Birth Weight ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; Humans ; Immunization Programs ; Infant ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To analyze the information of the supplementary card for hepatitis B and the laboratory confirmed result of immunoglobulin M antibody to hepatitis B virus (HBV) Core Antigen (anti-HBc IgM) for the suspected acute hepatitis B to evaluate the hepatitis B report data on pilot surveillance.

<b>METHODSb>200 counties were established in China for hepatitis B pilot surveillance and 63 641 cases were reported. We added a supplementary card in National Notificable Disease Reporting System (NNDRS) and all the reported hepatitis B cases in NNDRS were required to fill the supplementary card. Venous blood 5 ml was collected and a confirmed test of anti-HBc IgM was made for suspected acute hepatitis B. We made confirmed diagnosis for the suspected acute hepatitis B according to the supplementary card information of the reporting card and the confirmed test result of anti-HBc IgM.

<b>RESULTSb>63 641 hepatitis B cases were reported in 200 hepatitis B pilot surveillance counties in 2013. Among 1 723 cases which were filled with the HBsAg positive within six months in supplementary card, 735 cases were reported as chronic hepatitis B, the proportion was 42.66%. Among 4 582 cases which were filled with anti-HBc IgM positive in supplementary card, 2 436 cases were reported as acute hepatitis B, the proportion was 53.16%. 1 829 cases were reported as chronic hepatitis B, the proportion was 39.92%. The validity cases of the information for liver puncture and the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) transform during the recovery period in supplementary cards for all the reporting cases were 579 and 4 961, and the rate were 0.91% and 7.80%, respectively. 4 302 suspected acute cases were made confirmed diagnosis, and 1 197 cases (27.82%) were confirmed acute and 2 590 cases (60.20%) were confirmed chronic.

<b>CONCLUSIONb>Clinical doctors failed to make full use of the information of supplementary cards to make classification diagnose for hepatitis B. Suspected acute hepatitis B with anti-HBc IgM positive should be pay attention to follow up and further distinguish acute or chronic hepatitis B according to the HBsAg transform.

China ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Sentinel Surveillance

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To observe the change in the number of antibodies of preneoplastic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using early treatment by Compound Phyllanthus Urinaria L. (CPUL) on patients with preneoplastic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated HCC.

<b>METHODSb>A total of 102 cirrhosis patients with regenerative or dysplastic nodules whose sera were tested positive for at least one of these six proteins (five up-regulated genes URG4, URG7, URG11, URG12 and URG19, and one down-regulated gene DRG2) were assigned randomly to two groups using continual random codes by SPSS software. Fifty-two patients were in the treatment group and 50 patients were in the control group. CPUL was used in the treatment group for 3 years, while the control group did not receive any treatment. The changes in HBV-DNA level, number of antibodies, and hepatocarcinogenesis occurred were observed. Patients who did not develop HCC were followed up for another 2 years.

<b>RESULTSb>HBV-DNA levels decreased ⩾2log in 22.2% (10/45) of patients in the treatment group in contrast to only 5.0% (2/40) of patients in the control group (P=0.0228). The number of antibodies that were tested positive in the treatment group (1.08±1.01) was significantly lower compared with the control group (2.11±1.12) after 24 months of drug treatment (P<0.01). Both the positive rates of anti-URG11 (33/52) and anti-URG19 (31/52) were over 60% at baseline in the two groups, and were decreased to 48.1% (25/52) and 46.2% (24/52) respectively at 36 months of drug treatment, while the rates increased to 68.0% (34/50) and 66.0% (33/50) respectively (P=0.0417, P=0.0436) in the control group. The positive rate of anti-DRG2 was increased to 55.8% (29/52) at 36 months of drug treatment, while in the control group was decreased to 36.0% (18/50, P=0.0452). Among the 102 patients who developed HCC, 2 were in the treatment group and 9 were in the control group, meaning that a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.0212). In 11 patients who developed HCC, anti-URG11 and anti-URG19 were always positive, while anti-DRG2 was negative. Patients newly developing HCC were 6 (20.0%) in the control group, and only one (2.5%) in the treatment group (P=0.0441) during 2-year follow-up after the end of the treatment.

<b>CONCLUSIONSb>Anti-URG11, anti-URG19 and anti-DRG2 could be used as early markers in the prediction of the therapeutic efficacy of CPUL in treating preneoplastic HCC. CPUL is useful in preventing or delaying the development of HBV-associated cirrhosis to HCC.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; therapy ; virology ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; pathogenicity ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; therapy ; virology ; Phyllanthus ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Precancerous Conditions ; virology

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aims of the present study were to determine the outcomes of inactive hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers over a 10-year study period and to elucidate the HBV serological profile of their family members. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical files of inactive HBsAg carriers followed up at the Department of Infectious Diseases of Kocatepe University Medical Faculty Hospital between March 2001 and January 2011. RESULTS: In total, 438 inactive HBsAg carriers were enrolled in this trial. The follow-up period was 33.7+/-22.5 months (mean+/-SD). Anti-hepatitis-B surface antibody seroconversion occurred in 0.7% of cases, while chronic hepatitis B was found in 0.5%. The anti-hepatitis-D virus (HDV) status was evaluated in 400 patients and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 430. It was found that 1% and 0.2% were positive for anti-HDV and anti-HCV, respectively. HBV serology was investigated in at least 1 family member of 334/438 (76.3%) patients. The HBsAg positivity rate was 34.6% in 625 family members of 334 patients. A comparison of the HBsAg positivity rates in terms of HBV DNA levels in index cases revealed that HBsAg seropositivity rates were higher in family members of HBV DNA-negative patients than in family members of HBV DNA-positive cases (P=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The HBsAg positivity rate was higher in family members of inactive HBsAg carriers than in the general population; these family members therefore have a higher risk of HBV transmission. Furthermore, despite negative HBV DNA levels, transmission risk was not reduced in these patients, and horizontal transmission seems to be independent of the HBV DNA value.
Adult ; Antibodies/blood ; Carrier State ; DNA, Viral/analysis ; Family Health ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B Antibodies/blood ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/*blood ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics/immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/*diagnosis/transmission/virology ; Hepatitis Delta Virus/immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies