Intrafamilial Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus: Frequency, Risk Factors, and Role of Hepatitis B Vaccination

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health issue; it is estimated that 257 million persons have chronic HBV (Asgeir et al., 2021). The major routes of HBV transmission include blood, sexual contact, vertical (from infected mothers to her children) and horizontal (between the spouses or children) transmission (Şükran et al., (2018). The household transmission of HBV is also a major health issue; it represents a challenge to the health system. Higher rates of HBV infection were reported among the household contacts of chronic HBV carriers; the prevalence of HBV infection among the family members of patients with chronic HBV can reach to 57%. Factors affecting the risk of transmission include socio-demographic status, family role (infected mothers increase the risk of transmission) and viral markers of the index case (Masomeh et al., 2016).The diagnosis of HBV infection is generally based on serological (hepatitis B surface antigen) and molecular assays (hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid) (Chen et al., 2017).Although the three-dose vaccination for hepatitis B provides more than 90% seroprotection rates (Van Den Ende C, et al, 2017); approximately 10% of vaccinated persons may be at risk of getting infected.

Available data about the current status of intra-familial transmission of HBV among our community members are lacking; we need to determine the magnitude of such a major public health problem