Familial Transmission In HBV

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is an important cause of cirrhosis of liver for which effective treatment is available but still significant number of patients require liver transplantation when it reaches end stage liver disease. There are various routes of transmission for HBV like parenteral, vertical, nosocomial and through close contact among family members of HBV patient. There are limited studies in literature determining familial prevalence in HBV patient.

Aims and Objectives: To determine prevalence of HBV in family members of HBV patients confirmed on HbsAg and HBV DNA quantitative viral load testing.

Materials & Methods: It was prospective study conducted at Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), Rohtak, over a period of three years from 1^st June, 2022 to 31^st May, 2025 during which 3000 confirmed patients of Chronic hepatitis B reported in department in last three years duration and out of this total pool of 4000 patients, till date 6500 family members of 2100 HBV patients got tested HbsAg and/or HBV DNA quantitative test for ruling out HBV infection. Hence data pertaining to them was used in final analysis.

Results: Out of the 2100 HBV patients, whose 6500 family members were checked for HBV infection, 813 (12.50 %) were found to be HBV positive and 5687 (87.50 %) were HBV negative. If we calculate these 2100 patient family as a whole, then out of them 354 (16.85%) families were having at least one more member, in addition to patient positive for HBV infection and rest 1746 families (83.14%) have no member suffering from HBV infection, other than index patient.

Conclusion: The family members of every Hepatitis B patient should be screened for HBV infection. The positive members should be evaluated in detail for stage of disease and if needed treatment should be started on priority. The members who are found to be HbsAg negative should be vaccinated with complete course of three doses of HBV vaccine.