Female to male transmission of hepatitis b virus between chinese spouses

Three hundred thirty‐seven community‐based spouses were tested for the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers to assess the direction of HBV transmission between couples. The prevalence rate of HBV infection among husbands whose wives were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐positive was higher compared with those whose wives were HBsAg‐negative. Moreover, the frequency of HBV seropositivity among husbands was 100% if their wives carried HBeAg and showed a trend correlation (P = 0.009). The prevalence difference was 13.8%. and the 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 7.9–19.7% after adjusting for spouses' age. In contrast, HBV infection rate of wives did not show an association with the husbands' HBsAg or HBeAg carrier status. The prevalence difference was 7.1%, but 95% CI was −2.5–16.8% after adjusting for spouses' age. Female to male transmission of HBV between spouses appears to be more efficient.

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