Loading...
Davis and colleagues conducted a meta-analysis of recent population-based, cross-sectional prevalence surveys to ascertain the importance of horizontal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV). They define "horizontal transmission" as spread of the virus without sexual, perinatal, or parenteral exposure. This mode of transmission may be the predominant but underappreciated method in many populations.
They found that in areas where HBV is highly endemic, horizontal transmission is very common in young children and preadolescents. Young children are especially vulnerable to becoming chronic carriers and having long-term sequelae. In areas of low endemicity, horizontal transmission occurred from persistent carriers of the virus to other househol…