A Cross-sectional Prevalence Status On Hepatitis B Among General Population In Areas Along Yangzi River In Anhui Province

Objective To describe the epidemic status of hepatitis B and the distribution of hepatitis B virus (HBV),and to detect HBV serological biomarkers and genotypes among general population along the Yangzi River area, in Anhui province.Methods A cross-sectional seroepidemiological survey was conducted and the samples were collected by stratified cluster sampling. Serological biomarkers to hepatitis B virus were tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reagents. Genotypes of HBV were detected by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with multiplex pairs of genotypes-specific primers.Results (1)Among 2282 people, the prevalence rates of HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAB, HBcAb and hepatitis B virus infection were 9.8%, 43.5%, 1.0%, 7.8%, 10.3% and 40.6% respectively. The standardized prevalence rates of HBsAg and HBV were 9.3% and35.4%. The prevalence rate of HBsAg among males was higher than that of females (P <0.05). There was no significant difference between urban and rural areas (χ~2=0.027,P>0.05). The vaccination rate was 24.7%, higher in urban than in rural areas. The vaccination rate was high in children younger than ten yeas old and in students. The prevalence rates of HBsAg and HBV among people who had received vaccines were lower than those who had not (P <0.01).(2) The 224 HBsAg-positive blood samples cases showed five kinds of model:①HBsAg, HBeAg, HBcAb (8.0%);②H BsAg, HBeAb, HBcAb (71.4%);③H BsAg, HBcAb (16.1%);④H BsAg, HBeAg (1.8%);⑤H BsAg (2.7%); Among the 224 cases, 54.9% were found with genotype B, 32.6% were found with genotype C, 7.1% were found with mixed genotype BC and 5.4% were uncertain genotype. The positive rate of genotype C in the HBsAg positive specimens was 59.1%. The positive rate of genotype B in the HBsAg positive specimens was 36.4%.Conclusions The standardized prevalence rate of HBsAg (9.3%) was high in the area along the Yangzi River in Anhui province. The vaccinate rate was low in country. Expanded vaccinate which can obviously decline the prevalence rate of HBsAg should be enhanced. Genotype B and genotype C are the major HBV genotypes. The predominant genotype is genotype B. There are relationships between HBV genotypes and serological biomarkers. The nested PCR with multiplex pairs of genotype-specific primers method can be used in large-scale surveys and clinical research.