Estimating numbers of persons with persistent hepatitis B virus infection transmitted vertically and horizontally in the birth cohort during 1950–1985 in Japan

Aim We estimated numbers of persons, born between 1950 and 1985 in Japan, who were persistently infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) through vertical and horizontal infections. Methods HBV carrier rates with vertical and horizontal infections were computed using sex- and age-specific prevalence rates of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) by mathematical model. Probabilities of vertical HBV transmission in babies born to carrier mothers with and without HBeAg were presumed to be 90% and 10%, respectively. Results HBV carrier rates with vertical infection stayed contrast at approximately 0.3% in birth cohorts through 36 years (1950–1985), both in men and women. By a remarkable constant, HBV carrier rates with horizontal infection decreased steadily from 1.43% to 0.10% in men and from 0.95% to 0.03% in women. The estimated total number of HBV carriers born between 1950 and 1985 was 522 500 (355 488–693 606). Of them, the numbers of HBV carriers with vertical and horizontal infections were 197 574 (149 505–288 709) and 324 926 (205 983–404 896); they accounted for 37.81% and 62.19%, respectively, with a ratio of 1:1.64. The ratio between vertical and horizontal infections was 1:2.20 in men and 1:1.06 in women. Conclusion Vertical HBV infection had stayed constant until immunoprophylaxis of mother-to-baby transmission was implemented in 1986 in Japan. In contrast, horizontal HBV infection decreased over years. The decrease would be due to many factors, including improved socioeconomic environments, advanced medical maneuvers and equipment, and careful vaccination procedures.