INTRODUCTION
Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects over 350 million individuals worldwide and is the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis [Reference Ahn1–Reference Fung, Lai and Yuen3]. Universal infant immunization has decreased rates of HBV infection in a number of high-prevalence countries [Reference Kao4–Reference Chang6]. In low-prevalence countries, however, perinatal transmission can be largely prevented by universal antenatal screening and targeted immunization of neonates [Reference Brook7–Reference Jordan and Law9]. Infections in adult risk groups can be targeted by selective immunization programmes or by universal adolescent immunization. Such programmes, however, cannot prevent horizontal transmission of the virus in early childhood.
Most new infections acquired in the UK, a low-prevalence country, are believed to occur in adults primarily via injecting drug use or sexual transmission [Reference Balogun10, Reference Hahné11]. The extent of horizontal transmission in the UK, particularly during early childhood, is unknown. In low-endemicity countries, prevalence is higher in migrant populations [Reference Hurie, Mast and Davis12, Reference Diel, Helle and Gottschalk13]. Horizontal transmission is more common in countries where there is a high or intermediate prevalence of hepatitis B infection [Reference Davis, Weber and Lemon14–Reference Doganci16] and families with origins in such countries may experience a higher incidence of both acute and chronic infection than the general population [Reference Hahné17]. Studies in high- and intermediate-prevalence areas have also shown that the risk of horizontal transmission of HBV in the household occurs prior to and during school years between the ages of 7 and 11 years [Reference Ahn1, Reference Değertekin, Tuzcu and Yalçin18].
If horizontal transmission commonly occurred in the household and school setting in the UK, a high proportion of children attending school in districts with large ethnic minority populations would be expected to have markers of exposure to the virus. Oral fluid samples provide a non-invasive alternative to blood for determining immunity and exposure to HBV in the general population. A number of studies have shown the feasibility and acceptability of oral fluid collection for use in the surveillance of viral disease in children [Reference Mckie, Vyse and Maple19–Reference Chatzipantazi21]. This paper describes such a study to estimate the amount of transmission of HBV in multi-ethnic schoolchildren in the UK that is preventable only by a universal infant hepatitis B immunization programme commencing at age 2 months alongside other infant vaccines.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted in four multi-ethnic areas of England: Bury & Rochdale (Greater Manchester), Birmingham (West Midlands), Camden & Islington (north London) and Enfield (north London). The study was conducted in four sequential phases in each area between 2001 and 2005. Children aged 7–11 years were recruited from schools selected through each local education authority on the basis of a multi-ethnic pupil population. Schools that agreed to participate were provided with further information about the study, and presentations about the study were provided for teachers in all areas. In Birmingham, face-to-face presentations for children were also provided.
Consent forms were given to children to take home for their parents to complete. The documentation for parents included information about hepatitis B, the study design and objectives and was translated into common languages encountered in three areas. In the Birmingham area school link workers assisted with issues around language. Information about hepatitis B and the study was also provided for the children. Parents were invited to complete a short questionnaire requesting demographic information about the child (age, gender, country of birth, ethnic group and country of birth of each parent). Children whose parents returned signed consent forms were recruited into the study. The OraSure® Oral Specimen Collection Device (OraSure Technologies Inc., USA) was used to collect an oral fluid sample from each child participating in the study. This device consists of an absorbent cotton fibre pad affixed to a nylon stick. Children were asked to take their own oral fluid specimen by placing the pad inside the mouth (between the lower gum and cheek) and rubbing back and forth gently several times along the gum line until the pad was moist. The pad was then left stationary within the mouth for 2 min before being placed in a vial of preservative solution provided as part of the device. Staff from the study team and school nurses were present to provide assistance. The oral fluid specimens were returned to the Centre for Infections, Virus Reference Department (HPA Microbiology Services Division, Colindale, London) for oral fluid extraction and testing for antibody to the hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). During the course of the study two different anti-HBc assays based on IgG class-specific antibody–capture techniques were used to determine status. In three areas oral fluid was tested for anti-HBc by the Abbott Murex ICETM HBc (Murex Biotech Ltd, UK) assay according to the manufacturer's guidelines. This enzyme immunoassay detected both IgG and IgM against HBc antigen. During the investigation Murex Biotech discontinued manufacture of the ICE HBc assay, so, for the final area, Enfield, an ‘in-house’ IgG antibody capture radioimmunoassay (GACRIA) was used to detect the presence of IgG anti-HBc in oral fluid specimens [Reference Parry22, Reference Parry23]. Both assays had previously been validated in comparison to serum specimens. The enzyme immunoassay had a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity >99%, while the GACRIA had a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 100% [Reference Thornton24, Reference Parry, Perry and Mortimer25]. Specimens reactive on the Abbott Murex ICE HBc assay were also tested with the GACRIA.
Follow-up serum specimens were collected from any schoolchildren who were found to be oral-fluid anti-HBc reactive or indeterminate on the Murex assay or GACRIA. Serum was also collected from household family members of schoolchildren whose follow-up serum specimen was confirmed to contain anti-HBc. All serum specimens were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) (Hepanostika Microelisa system, Organon Teknika, The Netherlands) and for total anti-HBc (‘in house’ competitive radioimmunoassay). Those that were either HBsAg or total anti-HBc positive were then tested for antibody to the hepatitis B core antigen IgM subclass (anti-HBc IgM) (Murex Biotech Ltd), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) (Organon Teknika) and antibody to hepatitis e antigen (anti-HBe) (Organon Teknika). Specimens that were HBsAg negative and total anti-HBc positive were tested for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) (Abbott Laboratories, UK). All serum specimens that had serological markers for hepatitis B were screened for HBV DNA. Sequence analysis was undertaken across part of the HBsAg and core regions on HBV DNA-positive samples as described previously [Reference Yusof, Flower and Teo26].
The study children and their household members confirmed as anti-HBc positive on serum testing were subsequently placed in one of three categories on the basis of HBsAg and/or anti-HBc IgM findings: persistent infection (HBsAg positive, anti-HBc positive, anti-HBc IgM negative); acute infection (HBsAg positive, anti-HBc positive, anti-HBc IgM positive); resolved infection (HBsAg negative, anti-HBc positive). Information on exposure risks from birth was obtained for study children confirmed as being serologically positive. Families were interviewed by members of the investigation team concerning these exposure risks and information collected using a structured questionnaire. Family members of anti-HBc seropositive study children found to be susceptible were offered hepatitis B vaccine. Individuals identified as having a serological profile indicative of acute, persistent or resolved infection were referred to a liver specialist.
Statistical analysis
Prevalence estimates were calculated for the prevalence of anti-HBc and HBsAg based on serologically confirmed results and confidence intervals were calculated using the exact binomial distribution.
To estimate the average annual incidence of hepatitis B in children in these areas, the person-years at risk (calculated as the sum of the ages for all the children tested) was used as the denominator and the numerator was the number of children with confirmed markers of persistent, acute, or resolved hepatitis B infection irrespective of country of birth. The average annual incidence was estimated for UK-born children overall and for each area of the study. To estimate the number of such cases preventable only by a universal infant immunization programme in the UK, incidence in UK-born children was calculated in the same way but first excluding those whose mothers were persistently infected and second, also excluding those whose mothers had a resolved past infection. As an infant prevention programme in the UK would be likely to be given in the first 6 months of life, one implicit assumption was that infections in non-UK-born children would not have been preventable by immunization in early infancy (as most children arrive in the UK after that age). In addition, it was assumed that infections in children whose mothers had evidence of persistent infection would be preventable by the current policy of universal antenatal screening and targeted immunization at birth. In contrast, infections in children whose mothers showed evidence of resolved infection would only have been preventable by the targeted programme if the mother had been HBsAg positive at the time of antenatal screening. Incidence was therefore estimated both including and excluding infection in children of mothers with resolved infections.
Confidence intervals were calculated using the exact binomial distribution and applied accordingly.
Ethical approval
Ethical approval for the study was obtained from local ethics committees as well as the London Multi-Centre Research Ethics Committee and the Public Health Laboratory Service Ethics Committee.
RESULTS
Of 9942 questionnaires and consent forms sent, a total of 5661 (56·9%) were returned from the four areas investigated. Overall 5334 children, 2790 (52·3%) females and 2520 (47·2%) males were tested for anti-HBc (in 24 sex was not stated).
The age of the 5334 tested children ranged from 7 to 11 years (median 9 years, n=5263) while their family household sizes ranged from 2 to 20 persons (median 5, n=4928). Of the 5334 children tested, 4464 (83·7%) were UK born, 729 (13·7%) were non-UK born and in the remaining 141 (2·6%) information on country of birth was not reported. A total of 2801 (62·7%) UK-born children from all four areas of the study that were tested for anti-HBc had at least one parent born in a country with intermediate or high HBV prevalence.
Thirty-one children were reactive or indeterminate for anti-HBc on oral fluid testing. Serological follow-up was completed for 28; two had persistent infection (HBsAg positive), 12 had resolved infection (HBsAg negative, confirmed anti-HBc positive) and the remaining 14 were anti-HBc negative (Table 1). The three that were not followed up did not respond to any further requests for additional testing and were excluded from further analysis (and from the denominator). The prevalence of chronic infection was 0·038% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·0045–0·14] with 0·26% (95% CI 0·14–0·44) of the eligible study children having evidence of exposure to HBV. The prevalence of exposure to hepatitis B was low in all ethnic groups tested but was higher in those born outside than inside the UK (Table 2).
Table 1. Summary of results
Table 2. Number of children tested using oral fluid and confirmed to be anti-HBc serum positive by ethnic group and country of birth
* Includes country of birth not reported.
The average annual incidence of hepatitis B was estimated to be 29·26/100 000 (95% CI 16·00–49·08) overall and 14·99/100 000 (95% CI 5·50–32·61/100 000) for UK-born children. The estimated incidence in UK-born children was low in all four areas, ranging from 0/100 000 (95% CI 0·0–63·85), 6·19/100 000 (95% CI 0·16–34·45), 12·53/100 000 (95% CI 0·32–69·77) and 39·55/100 000 (95% CI 10·78–101·23) in Camden & Islington, Birmingham, Enfield, and Bury & Rochdale, respectively.
Of the 14 children with confirmed current or resolved HBV infection, eight were born overseas and arrived in the UK between ages 5 and 10 years (Table 3). Of the six UK-born children, in only one case (case 8) was the mother shown to be persistently infected. In eight families (cases 1, 2, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14), there was evidence of past and current infection in siblings. Molecular typing of the virus causing persistent infection in the families of cases 1 and 2 showed the viruses to belong to genotypes D and A, respectively (data not shown). The viral sequences were identical within each family group, suggesting that infection was acquired from a common source within or outside the family setting.
Table 3. Summary of children with evidence of current and past HBV infection and results of family testing
All of the children found to be anti-HBc positive had risk factors such as travelling to an intermediate- or high-prevalence country, receiving therapeutic injections, having the head shaved and/or having been circumcised in those countries. Assuming that all cases in UK-born children where the mother was not persistently infected would have been preventable by targeted perinatal immunization, the incidence of infection preventable only by a universal infant programme in the UK was estimated to be 12·49/100 000 (95% CI 4·05–29·13). If we assume that infections in the three children (cases 1, 3, 7) where the mother had resolved infection were also acquired perinatally, then the estimated incidence preventable only by a universal programme would be lower at 5·00/100 000 (95% CI 0·60–18·04).
DISCUSSION
The prevalence of hepatitis B and the extent of horizontal transmission of HBV in schoolchildren in England is low. In this study the prevalence of anti-HBc, indicative of past or current HBV infection, was only 0·26% (95% CI 0·14–0·44), and was lower in UK-born than non-UK-born children. When estimating the potential benefit of a universal infant hepatitis B immunization programme, it was assumed that infections in non-UK-born children were unlikely to be preventable. This assumption was confirmed by the observation that all infected children born outside the UK migrated after the age of 6 months, and so would have missed a routine infant schedule. In addition, we assumed that the single persistent infection detected in a UK-born child whose mother had a resolved infection would have been preventable through universal antenatal screening and targeted immunization. However, it could be argued that with a universal immunization programme, a higher coverage would be achieved than in the current selective programme. Nonetheless, as a universal programme would probably commence with other infant vaccines at the age of 2 months, it is likely that a universal approach would be ineffective in preventing perinatal transmission. For the children whose mothers had evidence of resolved infection, it is possible that the mother may have been HBsAg positive in the antenatal period. If so, then the child may have been offered immunization in the targeted programme. The finding of infected siblings in families where the mother had resolved infection, however, may suggest that only some children were infected perinatally or that these infections were acquired postnatally from a single source. Based on these arguments, the total incidence of hepatitis B that would only be prevented by a universal infant immunization programme in the UK was estimated to be between 5·00 and 12·49/100 000. As the four geographical areas were chosen on the basis of their multi-ethnic population, it is likely that this represents a higher incidence than in other parts of the UK.
An earlier UK-based serological study using residual samples in children aged 13–14 years found an overall anti-HBc prevalence of 0·7% and an HBsAg prevalence of 0·1% [Reference Hesketh27]. Unlike this previous study, we were able to collect additional demographic details to investigate the effect of ethnicity and country of birth on the prevalence of exposure to HBV. The oral fluid specimens tested in this study came from school populations in urban areas with large ethnic minority populations. The majority of the children in the study had been born in the UK although for over half either one or both parents had been born in areas known to have a high or intermediate prevalence of chronic hepatitis B. Of the 14 children confirmed to be anti-HBc positive after serological testing, eight were born overseas and only six were born in the UK. This suggests that infection with hepatitis B during childhood in the UK is unusual, even in these multi-ethnic populations. All UK-born children with evidence of past infection were from communities with origins of high or intermediate prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection, suggesting that transmission at school is unusual. Children of parents from intermediate- and high-prevalence countries are potentially at risk from infectious parents or other relatives who reside or visit in their household and when returning to their parents' countries of birth for holidays [Reference Hurie, Mast and Davis12, Reference Franks28, Reference Mahoney29]. In this study molecular sequencing confirmed evidence of intrafamilial spread and/or clustering of infection within two families.
In studies from China and Taiwan horizontal transmission has been shown to be responsible for about half of the individuals chronically infected with hepatitis B [Reference Yao30, Reference Hsu31]. These studies indicate that in these countries unsterilized therapeutic injections and intrafamilial spread from siblings are the major transmission routes among children in these countries. Most hepatitis B infections in sub-Saharan Africa in children are acquired through horizontal transmission, and a study from Ghana aimed to determine the behavioural factors associated with horizontal transmission [Reference Martinson32].These factors included sharing of bath towels, sharing of chewing gum, sharing of dental cleaning materials and biting of fingernails in conjunction with scratching the backs of those with persistent infection.
In countries such as the UK that have substantial populations of ethnic minorities from intermediate- and high-prevalence areas, migrants may continue to be vulnerable to some of the transmission routes present in their country of origin [Reference Kawsar and Goh33]. UK-based surveillance data have shown that the incidence of hepatitis B is higher in South Asian children compared to non-South Asian children [Reference Hahné17]. Among South Asians the study showed that transmission within the household and while travelling were frequently reported routes of acquisition. A high incidence of HBV infection has been observed in UK-born children of Somali ethnicity resident in the UK suggesting that significant transmission during childhood may indeed occur among some UK ethnic minorities with origins in high- or intermediate-prevalence countries [Reference Aweis34]. In the Somali population studied, the authors found a high overall prevalence of active HBV infection (HBsAg positive) of 5·7%. Seven (8·7%) of the 80 children aged <5 years and born in the UK had evidence of exposure to hepatitis B, of whom only one had a close family member identified as beimg HBsAg seropositive. These authors concluded that horizontal transmission may be continuing at an early age within the UK, and suggested community circumcision as a risk factor for hepatitis B transmission. They recommended that this population would benefit from surveillance, immunization and advice on best practice during circumcision procedures.
In the school setting a number of studies from low-prevalence countries have confirmed our findings that horizontal transmission outside the household is rare. A study from Denmark found an anti-HBc prevalence in serum of 0·8% in 2428 schoolchildren aged 6–16 years [Reference Gjørup35]. Of the 20 HBV-exposed children, 12 were immigrants and the remaining eight were born in Denmark. Three of the children, all immigrants, were HBsAg positive. These authors found no relationship between anti-HBc prevalence in Danish-born children and schools with high numbers of immigrant or HBsAg-positive children. The study also failed to show evidence of transmission of hepatitis B from immigrant schoolchildren to Danish-born schoolchildren. Another Danish study identified only one child (an immigrant from Somalia) with resolved infection in 585 preschool children where 55% were immigrants [Reference Fisker36]. A study from Australia showed a low prevalence of HBV infection in low-risk schoolchildren irrespective of the proportion of high-risk children in their classes [Reference Burgess37]. Other authors have concluded that concern about the risk of hepatitis B in schools is not well-founded [Reference Repp38] although the risk of transmission may be increased in nursery schools [Reference Hayashi39]. Studies on the epidemiology of hepatitis B in the USA, Sweden and England have demonstrated that despite increasing immigration there has been no demonstrable impact on the overall incidence of acute HBV infection [Reference Hahné11, Reference Goldstein40–Reference Lindh42].
The results of this study do not support a hypothesis that a substantial amount of UK HBV childhood transmission would only be prevented by universal infant hepatitis B immunization. Childhood transmission is low and a universal infant programme would prevent a low number of infections. However, the study does indicate that active case-finding and selective immunization among children whose families originate from intermediate and high hepatitis B prevalence areas should be considered [Reference Veldhuijzen43]. Case-finding would provide a means for identifying those who are persistently infected, and identify children and close contacts whose risk of HBV infection would be minimized through immunization.
The major burden of disease associated with hepatitis B is due to the development of persistent infection. As those who acquire hepatitis B during infancy have at least a 90% risk of developing persistent infection, control policies aimed at preventing perinatal and horizontal transmission during childhood are likely to maximize benefits to public health. A study from Ireland, a low-incidence country, suggests that universal infant immunization against HBV infection would be a cost-effective intervention [Reference Tilson44]. Universal immunization prevents iatrogenic transmission of HBV and in the long term adult risks such as infection acquired sexually and through injecting drug use. Cost-effectiveness studies in England and Wales have been less favourable to a universal infant policy but alternative selective strategies, similar to those used for bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunization warrant further exploration [Reference Edmunds45, Reference Etuwewe, Wood and Lyon46]. Data from this study can therefore be used in England and Wales to inform both a universal infant and adolescent immunization policy and the implementation of a selective policy based on ethnicity. The Netherlands initiated immunizing children of parents who had immigrated from intermediate- and high-prevalence countries because horizontal transmission was thought to be an important route of transmission within the family/household setting [Reference Galama47].
CONCLUSIONS
Migration of persistently infected individuals into the UK limits the success of universal infant immunization or a selective programme based on ethnicity and geographical location. Some authors have suggested that the burden of hepatitis B in the UK could be reduced more cost effectively by implementing universal programmes in the endemic areas where new immigrants originate [Reference Gay and Edmunds48]. Immunizing infants of persistently infected mothers identified through antenatal screening prevents the chronic state emerging in the child and also prevents horizontal transmission of hepatitis B in early childhood. Antenatal screening and targeted immunization of the infant in the UK is highly cost effective but there is a need to improve delivery of the immunization service, and to use the identification of antenatal women to ensure screening and immunization of other family members [Reference Jordan and Law9, Reference Larcher49, Reference Giraudon50]. To ensure hepatitis B is effectively controlled universal antenatal screening should be continued, children born to HBsAg-positive mothers should be immunized, selective immunization optimized and new migrants from intermediate- and high-prevalence countries targeted for screening, immunization and education with respect to HBV.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank the schools and local educational authorities that contributed to this study. We also thank Dr Marko Petrovic for assistance with the follow-up of children in Bury & Rochdale and Professor Geoffrey Dusheiko for providing clinical care for patients from Camden & Islington. This study was funded by the Department of Health.
DECLARATION OF INTEREST
None.
