Epidemiology of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in China: Current Status and Challenges

Abstract

The prevalence of hepatitis B is high in China. Based on the National Disease Supervision Information Management System of China, the mean reported incidence of hepatitis B was 84.3 per 100,000 in China between 2005 and 2010. There are differences in population distribution based on region and ethnic group. Here, risk factors, virological characteristics, and prophylaxis of hepatitis B in China are reviewed. Although the prevalence of HBV infection is gradually declining, there are many challenges in HBV infection control, including higher prevalence in floating population, poor compliance of antiviral therapy, and high disease burden.

Introduction

Worldwide, China has been identified as an area with a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. According to a national cross-sectional seroepidemiological survey in 1992, 120 million people in China were afflicted with HBV infection, with an infection rate of approximately 60% and prevalence of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers estimated at 9.8%.1 The nationwide survey in 2006 showed that the prevalence of HBsAg carrier was reduced to less than 8.0% and the HBsAg prevalence among children aged < 5 years was only 1.0%.2 Based on the prevalence of HBsAg and HBV infection obtained from the two national seroepidemiological surveys, the numbers of HBV-infected patients and HBsAg carriers have decreased by an estimated 80 million and 20 million, respectively, since 1992 to 2006.3 The most serious concern of HBV infection is the risk associated with chronic carriers, including chronic hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Chronic hepatitis B is associated with approximately 90% and 30% of neonatal and childhood HBV infection, respectively, while less than 10% of adults infected develop chronic hepatitis B.4 In China, hepatitis B is a major disease that affects human health, often leading to chronic poverty because of it high prevalence, persistence, and difficult treatment. Therefore, controlling HBV infection has become a top priority for the Chinese government. This review describes the epidemiology and prophylaxis of HBV infection, as well as the challenges of hepatitis B control in China.

The characteristics of notified incidence of hepatitis B in China

Since 2004, patients with hepatitis B identified at the institutions involved in disease control and prevention, blood collection, and supply in China are directly reported within 24 hours to the different health departments via the National Disease Supervision Information Management System (NDSIMS). The notified incidence of hepatitis B is estimated based on these reported cases.

Time and regional distribution

For many years, the number of hepatitis B cases reported to NDSIMS has ranked first among all legally notifiable infectious diseases, accounting for approximately a third of the total cases. The reported incidence of hepatitis B gradually increased threefold from 21.5 per 100,000 to 89.0 per 100,000 in 2007, followed by a slow decline to 79.5 per 100,000 in 2010.5 The mean reported incidence of hepatitis B was 84.3 per 100,000 in China during the period 2005 to 2010.6–11

In 31 provinces in China, the reported incidences of hepatitis B varied greatly. The lowest mean reported incidence from 2005 to 2010 was in Tibet Autonomous Region (14.6 per 100,000), followed by Jiangsu Province (21.3 per 100,000). The highest was reported in Qinghai Province (283.0 per 100,000), followed by Gansu Province (225.7 per 100,000 persons). The geographical distribution of mean reported incidence of hepatitis B in 31 provinces of China between 2005 and 2010 is shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1. The distribution of mean reported incidence of hepatitis B in 31 provinces of China between 2005 and 2010.

Population distribution

Among the reported cases of hepatitis B in China from 2005 to 2007, the incidence rate was lowest in children aged <15 years. The incidence rate of acute hepatitis B was high among adults aged ≥15 years, with the highest incidence rate observed in the population aged 20–29 years. A higher incidence rate of hepatitis B was found in men than women at each age group.12 The male to female ratio of the reported cases of acute hepatitis B was 2.21:1, with most patients aged between 15 and 45 years.13 Acute hepatitis B was detected in each occupation, with the top 3 being farmers (44.3%), students (12.4%), and workers (11.1%).

Role and issues of the national notified data

The reported data has been an important evidence-based reference tool to evaluate the risk of hepatitis B for many years and in shaping health policy, such as free neonatal HBV vaccination in China. In addition, hepatitis B was listed as one of the high-priority diseases in the National Key Projects on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases initiated in 2008. However, some issues still persist in China’s network-based infectious disease reporting system. For example, the problem of repeated case reports detected between 2004 and 2008 still remains unresolved, with the repeated report rate up to 29.0% in some areas.14,15 In addition, implementation of reporting standards is inconsistent. For example, many HBsAg carriers were reported as acute cases, and the real reported incidence rate of hepatitis B was only about one-third of the reported incidence according to a study from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC).16 Therefore, the need for strong training of grass-roots infectious disease physicians and unified standards for acute hepatitis B case reporting to improve the functioning of China’s network-based infectious disease reporting system cannot be overstated.12

Risk factors and transmission routes of HBV infection in China

HBV is mainly transmitted through the blood, with mother-to-infant, blood-borne, and sexual transmission constituting the major routes.

Mother-to-infant transmission and risk factors

Prior to the wide availability of HBV vaccination, it was found that mother-to-infant transmission occurred in 10%–30% infants from HBsAg-positive mothers, while 70%–90% of the infants born to HBsAg and HBeAg double positive mothers developed chronic HBV infections.17,18 Prior to 2002, the mother-to-infant HBV transmission was approximately 16%–45%.19,20 The rate of transmission has since been significantly reduced to approximately 3%–5% with the initiation of comprehensive HBV vaccination. However, it was still prevalent up to 7.3% in some areas. The risk factors include HBsAg/HBeAg double positive mothers, untimely HBV vaccination, high HBV DNA viral load, sexual behavior during pregnancy, and untimely HBV vaccination of low-birth-weight and premature infants.21,22 Furthermore, amniocentesis performed on HBsAg+ mothers may also increase the risk for vertical transmission. A significantly higher vertical transmission rate was observed in the amniocentesis group vs. the control group (50.0% vs. 4.5%), if the maternal HBV DNA levels were >7 log₁₀ copies/ml.23

Blood-borne transmission and risk factors

Historically, unsafe blood transfusion or use of polluted blood products accounted for most of the HBV transmission in China.24 In the 1960s, the incidence of hepatitis reached 50% after blood transfusion. Serological screening of blood donors for hepatitis virus was done until the late 1970s, with routine testing for HBsAg since the early 1980s. Since then, HBV transmission through unsafe blood transfusion has been effectively controlled. Stringent HBsAg screening of blood donors since the Blood Donation Law of the People’s Republic of China in 1999 led to fewer HBV infections caused by blood transmission or transfusion of blood products.25 An investigation of risk factors of acute hepatitis B among eight provinces in China conducted by China CDC showed that populations with a history of paid blood donation and blood transfusion constituted approximately 3% and 1% of HBV-infected populations,16 respectively, suggesting that blood transmission is no longer the major transmission route. However, blood-borne transmission of HBV still remains. A population-based case-control study in Shanghai showed that invasive medical procedures, sharing shavers and towels with HBV carriers, body care and beauty treatments were independent risk factors for acute hepatitis B.26 In addition, pedicures in bathing centers, tattooing and ear piercing may also transmit HBV.27

It is estimated that risk of HBV infection by blood transfusion is one in 18,000 in Shenzhen, China,28 which is higher than Europe, North America and Australia (ranging from 1/70000 to 1/130000).29-31 In specific populations, such as hemodialysis patients (20 hemodialysis units of Beijing), the prevalence of HBsAg was only 7.0%, which showed that infection control measures are effective.32 Nucleic acid testing (NAT) can be used to identify occult HBV infection and HBV infection during treatment window. However, such testing was not involved in the routine detection based on the Blood Donation Law of the People’s Republic of China and the associated administrative regulations. Currently, NAT is only employed for the screening of blood donors in a few large cities and blood stations.

Sexual transmission and risk factors

Sexual contact with HBV-infected individuals is considered another major route of HBV infection.33 In North America and Western Europe where the HBsAg prevalence is lower than 1%, HBV infection spreads through unprotected sexual behaviors and intravenous drug use. Unprotected sexual contact with HBV- infected individuals, especially with multiple sexual partners, increases the risk of HBV infection. Sexual contact is a major risk factor of HBV infection in America,34 Taiwan,13 Canada,35 and UK,36 including having multiple sexual partners, male homosexuality, having sex with HBV carriers, and heterosexual contact.

Prior to reforms and opening up of China, HBV transmission through sexual contact was confined to husband and wife.37 However, changing attitudes toward sex led to resurgence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) such as syphilis, with rising prevalence of HBV infection through sexual contact transmission. Results from the 2006 national seroepidemiological survey of HBV infection showed that the HBsAg prevalence was 10.5% in populations aged 20–30 years and 5.4% in populations aged 15–19 years, suggesting significance of transmission of HBV through sexual contact in a sexually active population.2 In addition, a study to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B in Shandong Province from 1990 to 2007 showed that 35.7% of the reported cases were aged from 15 to 29 years,38 and the prevalence of HBV infection increased from 7.5% in 2004 to 10.3% in 2006 among homosexuals.39 These results suggested that efforts to vaccinate adults against HBV should be strengthened in addition to routine immunization and vaccination supplementation among children aged less than 15 years, to effectively control the sexual transmission of HBV in adults.

Additionally, host susceptibility is an important risk factor for outcome of HBV infection. Recently, a three-phase genome wide association study (GWAS)40 on HBV carriers and controls from the general population highlight the importance of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-C and ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 L3 (UBE2L3) in the clearance of HBV infection in addition to HLA-DP and HLA-DQ.

Virological characteristcs of HBV infection in China

HBV genotype and subgenotype

Nine HBV genotypes (A–I) have been identified based on 8% or more differences in viral whole-genome sequence.41 In China, five genotypes A–E were detected.42,43 Genotypes C and B were the predominant strains in patients with chronic HBV infection, which accounted for about 60% and 12%,42,43 respectively. Genotype B was more frequently detected in acute HBV infection compared with chronic hepatitis B and acute-on-chronic liver failure.44 HBV genotypes have a distinct geographical distribution.42 Genotype C was dominant in the northern region of China; genotypes B and C were common in the south; genotype D was often found among ethnic minorities in Tibet, Xinjiang, and Gansu provinces; genotype A was rare; and genotype E was only found among Dai Nationality in Yunnan Province.45 The genotype data from nine provinces showed that genotype C was predominant in the eastern (Shandong and Jiangsu), southern (Guangdong and Guangxi), northern ( Jilin and Beijing ), and central regions (Henan and Hebei) (Table 1).42 In the western region (Tibet,46 Xinjiang,42 and Qinghai47), genotype D was more common, especially in Tibetans and Uighurs.

Table 1. HBV genotype distribution in China^[42^].

Region	Cases	Genotype B		Genotype C		Genotype D		Mixed Genotypes
		Cases	Percentage (%)	Cases	Percentage (%)	Cases	Percentage (%)	Cases	Percentage (%)
eastern	148	28	18.9	106	71.6	3	2.0	11	7.4
western	116	13	11.2	31	26.7	37	31.9	35	30.2
southern	110	24	21.8	61	55.5	3	2.7	22	20.0
northern	199	4	2.0	182	91.5	1	0.5	12	6.0
central	162	7	4.3	148	91.4	2	1.2	5	3.1
Total	735	76	10.3	528	71.8	46	6.3	85	11.6

HBV was also classified into different subgenotypes, according to genome sequence divergence from 4.0% to 8.0%. Genotype B was divided into B1–B7, genotype C and D also were divided into 6 and 7 subgenotypes, respectively.42 Subgenotypes B1, B2 and C1, C2 and D1 were detected in China.42,44,48 B2 (90.8%) and C2 (94.0%) were the main subgenotype of genotype B and C.42,44

Serosubtypes were determined based on HBsAg amino acids 122, 127, 160, and 159.49,50 Serosubtypes adr, adw2, ayr, ayw1, ayw2, and ayw3 were detected based on HBV sequences in 280 chronic carriers in four provinces49 (Hunan, Guangxi, Henan and Hebei). The adr and adw2 were predominant serosubtypes, accounting for 64.3% and 31.4%, respectively.49

Mixed genotype infection

Mixed genotype infections were common in each of the regions. Mixed genotypes B and C were most frequently detected, followed by genotypes C and D.42,43 Mixed genotypes B and D, A and C, or B, C, and D were rare.42,51,52

In the southern region, including Tibet and Xinjiang provinces, the proportion of mixed infection of genotype C and D was higher, and recombinations of C and D, B and C were often detected,47,53,54 The heterogeneity of C/D recombinants was more than 8% compared with genotypes A, B, D, E, or F but was 3.8%–8.0% compared with genotype C based on phylogenetic analysis.53 The site of recombination with genotype D was located in the preS2/S region, spanning nt 10–799 in some isolates and nt 10–1499 in the other isolates.55,56 In other regions of the genome, the sequences of recombinant strains were similar to genotype C.

Occult HBV infection

Occult HBV infection (OBI) is defined as the persistence of viral genomes in the liver tissue or the serum from HBsAg-negative individuals.57 OBI may persist in the host for years without obvious symptoms of overt HBV infection,58 or it may develop into hepatitis, cirrhosis, or HCC.59 China is a highly endemic area for HBV infection, and several studies reported prevalence of OBI in different populations. Based on detection of nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR, the prevalence of OBI was 0.8 % (9/1146)60 among healthy young adults in Harbin, all of whom received three doses of the HBV vaccine. With the HBsAg(−), anti-HBs(+), and anti-HBc(+) vaccines, the rate of OBI was close to 28.8% in Qidong.61 The occult infection may be due to absent or inadequate response to the inoculated HB vaccine61 or from infected mothers.60 Among mother-teenager pairs, OBI prevalence in mothers was 10.0% (6/60), which was significantly higher than 2.0% (2/101) in teenagers.62 The family members of patients with chronic HBV infection were considered high-risk population, with OBI prevalence up to 11%.63 In our previous study, the prevalence of OBI was 4.9% (9/183) in HB-vaccinated infants from HBsAg-positive mothers,56 and their anti-HBs levels were lower. In patients with HBsAg-negative chronic liver disease and HCC patients, the prevalence of occult HBV infection reached 28.3% (45/159) and 70.4% (95/135), respectively.64

According to reports mentioned above, the strains associated with occult infection were genotype C, B, and C/D recombinant. Some strains harbor G145R mutations in “a” determent, where mostly had few escape mutations. The viral loads were almost not more than 10⁴ copies/ml. However, occult HBV may be transmitted not only by blood transfusion or organ transplantation, but also between relatives or from HBV infected mothers.65 Therefore, more attention should be paid to occult infection in order to better control the spread of HBV infection.

Immunization prevention of hepatitis B in China

Vaccination against HBV

The Ministry of Health of China has implemented a series of regulations involving HBV vaccination since 1992. However, unlike other Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) vaccines, families had to pay for the HBV vaccine before 2001. To encourage cost-effective immunization, the Chinese government decided to integrate HBV vaccination into the EPI, requiring local authorities at all levels to provide free HBV vaccine to all infants from 2002, with the families only paying the service fee. In 2005, The Chinese government finally adopted a completely free HBV vaccination program for all neonates.66 Following a series of interventions, prevalence of HBV infection has significantly declined from 9.8% in 1992 to 7.2% in 2006 in China.67 In 2009, all youths in China aged below 15 years were vaccinated.

The rate of HBV immunization coverage has increased each year since 1992. A study conducted in Zhejiang Province showed that by 1997, the HBV immunization coverage rate for newborns receiving their first dose reached 96.1% and for those receiving three doses reached 93.0%.68 Data obtained from a Chinese survey revealed that after completion of the three-dose HBV vaccination regimen, approximately 90%–95% of healthy individuals exhibited protective levels of the anti-HBs antibody.69 Vaccination compliance was the lowest among adolescents (35.9%) and medicaid recipients (29.7%) who received the varicella vaccine and among younger adults who received the hepatitis A vaccine (25%–35%).70 Similarly, 35–45% of subjects failed to complete the HBV vaccination series.

Passive immunizations with HBIG

Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) is a human polyclonal HBV immunoglobulin preparation containing isolated human plasma protein (50 mg/ml) consisting of at least 95% human polyclonal IgG antibodies. After administration, HBIG is immediately and completely bioavailable in the recipient’s circulation and adequately distributed between plasma and the extravascular fluid. Use of HB vaccine and HBIG in babies born to HBsAg positive mothers after 12 hours of birth tremendously reduces the HBV infection rate.

HBIG was also widely used in the prevention of HBV uterine transmission. In 1995, antepartum treatment that could significantly and safely reduce the failure of postnatal passive or active HBV immunization was reported in China. The treatment involved administration of HBIG 200 IU intramuscularly once a month at the third, second, and first month before delivery for chronic HBV infected pregnant women. Since then, similar studies (using HBIG 200 IU per injection or 400 IU per injection)71,72 highlighting the efficacy of this regimen were published in China, indicating that this treatment was a standard regimen in China.73 However, Yuan’s studies in 2006 reported different conclusions. A cohort of 250 HBV e antigen (HBeAg) seropositive pregnant women were randomly assigned to either study (117 cases) or control groups (133 cases), in which the study group received HBIG 400 IU intramuscularly once a month at the third, second, and first month before delivery and the control group received no antepartum treatment. The key findings of this study showed that (i) the regimen failed to significantly reduce the maternal HBV DNA and HBsAg loads; (ii) induced no adoptive immunoprophylaxis for the fetus; and (iii) failed to improve the protective efficacy rate of postnatal passive or active HBV immunization. This study showed that intrauterine transmission of HBV cannot be effectively interrupted even when the pregnant women were administered HBIG prior to delivery.

Challenges of HBV infection control in China

Higher prevalence of HBV infection in floating population than local residents

The Chinese Floating Population Development Report in 2013 recently issued by the National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China showed that the floating population was nearly 236 million, 17% of the total population of China. The mean age of floating population is 28 years, with over half of the working-age born after 1980. However, less than 30% of the floating population contributed to medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, or maternity insurance in the areas of immigration. A large migrating floating population in urban areas greatly affects the original epidemics and HBV infection patterns. An investigation conducted in Shenzhen demonstrated that the HBsAg prevalence was 21.4% among 5,824 workers from 136 factories in 2004, of which over 70% was floating population.74 The detection of 5,658 migrant workers in Xianju County of Zhejiang Province from 2005 to 2007 showed that the HBsAg prevalence was 15.9%.75 The serological detection of HBV infection among 1,195 floating populations from Chongqing in 2007 revealed that the HBsAg prevalence was 8.6%.76 These studies demonstrated that the HBsAg prevalence is much higher in floating populations compared with locally registered residents.76 Another study conducted in Shenzhen in 2010 demonstrated that the HBsAg prevalence was 7.1% (132/1873), which was higher than locally registered residents (6.3%, 120/1898), with a positive anti-HBs rate of 67.2% that was lower than locally registered residents (76.6%).77 The high HBsAg prevalence in the floating population is attributed to poor understanding of HBV vaccination, low awareness of HBV infection control and prevention measures, and low educational levels. In addition, most of the floating population is sexually active, another risk factor for HBV infection. Therefore, the floating population in China is a key target for prevention and control of hepatitis B, deserving greater attention in the future.

Intrauterine transmission of HBV cannot be completely interrupted

Intrauterine transmission of HBV is defined as HBV infection caused by the transmission of HBV from pregnant women to fetus through placenta,78 which is one route of mother-to-infant transmission. Currently, many hypotheses have been proposed to explain the mechanism of intrauterine transmission of HBV. The first hypothesis relates to HBV transmission from the mother’s peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to the fetus via placental barrier.79 Secondly, HBV infection rate among different layers of placental cells gradually decreases from the maternal side to the fetal side, which supports the hypothesis that intrauterine HBV transmission may be caused through “cellular transfer” in the placenta.78 Thirdly, transplacental leakage during threatened preterm labor and abortion leads to fetal HBV infection through the leakage of maternal blood into the blood circulation, thereby inducing intrauterine transmission of HBV.80 Currently, it is believed that administration of antiviral drugs at the late stage of pregnancy can effectively prevent the occurrence of mother-to-infant transmission of HBV.81,82 A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the use of antiviral drugs in late pregnancy revealed that lamivudine in HBV carrier-mothers with high viral loads in late pregnancy effectively prevented mother-to-child transmission.83 But the HBV intrauterine infection cannot be completely blocked.

Low standardization and poor compliance of antiviral therapy for patients

Patients with chronic hepatitis B suffer from problems associated with long-time antiviral therapy, high medical cost, possible viral mutations, and relapse, which easily lead to low compliance. Our previous study (unpublished data) showed that among outpatients with hepatitis B, approximately 33% of the patients with chronic hepatitis B were not aware of currently effective drugs and antiviral therapies for HBV, and 52.8% never underwent standard antiviral therapy for HBV. Among the patients undergoing treatment, approximately 32.5% received interferon treatment, and the remainder of patients was mostly treated with nucleoside/nucleotide drugs. While 87.2% received medications prescribed, 62.3% stopped taking medications without reaching the treatment goals. Of these patients, 40% failed to complete the full course of therapy due to economic difficulties. Therefore, educational intervention for hepatitis B prevention and control should be conducted in China, notably in rural areas. In the future, it will be important to educate patients on how antiviral therapies can prevent and slow poor outcomes in order to increase therapeutic compliance.

High hepatitis B-caused disease burden

In addition to health consequences, hepatitis B leads to high economic burden for patients, family, and society. It is known that approximately 15%–40% of HBV-infected individuals finally will develop hepatic cirrhosis, hepatic failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma.4 It was reported that the annual direct cost of inpatients due to hepatitis B was 41,242.9 RMB Yuan in Guangzhou, including the direct medical cost of 39,097.9 RMB Yuan and direct non-medical cost of 2,145.0 RMB Yuan. The direct cost gradually increased with the aggravation of the disease, of which liver transplantation was associated with the highest cost (119,268.6 RMB Yuan), followed by severe hepatitis B (73,631.0 RMB Yuan) and acute hepatitis B (12,443.9 RMB Yuan).84 Another study in Ningxia (2010) demonstrated that the annual direct medical and non-medical patient costs due to hepatitis B-related diseases were 26,199.23 and 2,086.53 RMB Yuan, respectively, and the annual direct, indirect and intangible economic burdens were 28,285.76, 3,315.63, and 56,366.41 RMB Yuan, respectively, with a gross economic burden of 87,967.80 RMB Yuan. In addition, it was found that the direct economic burden of the patients with hepatitis B-related diseases almost approximated the patients’ annual family income, which was three-fold greater than the mean family income.85 In 2010, a total of 20,000 cases of chronic hepatitis B were reported in Shandong Province, and the annual direct, indirect, intangible, and gross economic burdens were 0.618, 0.105, 1.825, and 2.548 billion RMB Yuan, respectively, with chronic hepatitis B-related gross cost accounting for approximately 0.06% of mean per capita gross domestic product (GDP) for the whole province.86 Therefore, a search for appropriate interventions to reduce the economic burden is of great practical significance in allocating the limited resources and formulating the health decisions and control strategy for hepatitis B.

Conclusions

With the strengthening of hepatitis B control implementation by the Chinese government, the prevalence of HBV infection is gradually declining in China. Notably, hepatitis B has been classified as one of three communicable diseases that are on high priority with the Chinese government since 2008. In total, 15 national demonstration areas for infectious disease prevention and control program have been initiated, with an investment of over one billion RMB Yuan. In addition to investigating the high risk factors of hepatitis B, vaccination has been extended to adults, and standardized antiviral therapy and educational programs have been implemented in rural areas. These measures greatly facilitated the control of hepatitis B in China. A new national seroepidemiological survey is required in the next three to five years to obtain the real prevalence and control of hepatitis B in China to date, in order to develop a revised strategy.

Abbreviations

CDC

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

EPI

Expanded Program on Immunization

GWAS

genome wide association study

HBsAg

HBV surface antigen

HBeAg

HBV e antigen

HBV

hepatitis B virus

HIB

hepatitis B immune globulin

HLA-C

human leukocyte antigen C

NAT

nucleic acid testing

NDSIMS

National Disease Supervision Information Management System

OBI

occult HBV infection

PBMC

mother’s peripheral blood mononuclear cells

PCR

polymerase chain reaction

RCT

randomized controlled trial

STD

sexually transmitted disease

UBE2 L3

ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 L3