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Chronic Hepatitis B Carrier

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Chronic Hepatitis B Carrier, Hepatitis B Carrier

  • See Also
  1. Viral Hepatitis
  2. Hepatitis B
  3. Chronic Hepatitis B Infection
  4. Hepatitis B Serology
  5. Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin
  6. Hepatitis B Vaccine
  7. Hepatitis B Postexposure Prophylaxis
  8. Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure
  9. Sexually Transmitted Disease
  10. Intravenous Drug Abuse
  • Pathophysiology
  1. Acute Hepatitis B Infection becomes chronic in 10%
  2. Chronic Hepatitis B (HBsAg present >6 months)
    1. Chronic Hepatitis B Carrier
    2. Chronic Hepatitis B Infection
  3. Hepatitis B Carrier contrasted with chronic infection
    1. Low viral load
    2. Normal Liver Function Tests (ALT or SGPT)
  • Labs
  1. HBsAg positive
  2. HBeAg negative
  3. xHBeAb positive
  4. Liver Function Tests (ALT or SGPT) normal
  5. Low viral load: HBV DNA hybridization negative
  • Management
  1. Observation: primary care visits every 6-12 months
  2. Follow related lab-work at follow-up visits
    1. Liver Function Tests (ALT or SGPT)
    2. HBsAg
    3. HBeAg
    4. xHBeAb
  • Course
  1. Spontaneous clearance in 1% of carriers per year
  2. Risk of reactivation to Chronic Hepatitis B Infection
  • Prevention of Transmission
  1. Identify all potential exposures
    1. Children
    2. Household contacts
    3. Sexual contacts
  2. Hepatitis B Serology testing for all exposures
  3. Hepatitis B Vaccine for all exposures not immune
  • References
  1. Berenguer in Feldman (2002) Sleisenger GI, p. 1285-303
  2. Lok (2001) Hepatology 34:1225-41 [PubMed]
  3. Malik (2000) Ann Intern Med 132:723-31 [PubMed]