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  • Title: Screening family and sexual contacts of HBsAg+ persons in the Pilsen region.
    Author: Pazdiora P, Böhmová Z, Kubátová A, Menclová I, Morávková I, Průchová J, Prechová M, Spácilová M.
    Journal: Epidemiol Mikrobiol Imunol; 2012 Sep; 61(3):51-7. PubMed ID: 23173297.
    Abstract:
    THE AIM OF THE STUDY: To detect HBsAg-positive persons and to offer their family and sexual contacts, after screening for viral hepatitis B (VHB) markers, free vaccination against the infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In collaboration with laboratories, all persons with confirmed HBsAg in the Pilsen Region (549,618 population) were prospectively detected. From these persons, the following data were collected: reason for examination, clinical diagnosis, and ethnicity/nationality. Their family and sexual contacts were screened for serologic markers (HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs) and vaccinated. RESULTS: Between 1997-2005, 1,053 HBsAg+ persons were routinely detected by the laboratories in the Pilsen Region. The average age of the infected persons was 41.7 years (range 0-90 years). At the time of the detection, 63.4% of the HBsAg positives were clinically "healthy" carriers. Within the monitored period there was a considerable increase in the HBsAg positivity rate among immigrants (particularly from Vietnam). Of 908 family and sexual contacts, 18% were positive for hepatitis B markers. The highest seropositivity rates (33.9% and 27.7%) were found in siblings and parents, respectively, of the HBsAg+ persons. So far 77.5% of the susceptible contacts have used the opportunity for free vaccination. CONCLUSION: The study has proven the importance of detecting HBsAg carriers and vaccinating their contacts. Special attention should be paid to immigrant families, particularly from Asia. Consistent vaccination of family and sexual contacts of HBsAg+ persons can contribute to a more rapid elimination of hepatitis B in the Czech Republic.
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