Total numbers of undiagnosed carriers of hepatitis C and B viruses in Japan estimated by age- and area-specific prevalence on the national scale

• Published in: Intervirology Vol. 54; no. 4; p. 185
• Main Authors: Tanaka, Junko, Koyama, Tomiko, Mizui, Masaaki, Uchida, Shigeru, Katayama, Keiko, Matsuo, Junko, Akita, Tomoyuki, Nakashima, Ayumu, Miyakawa, Yuzo, Yoshizawa, Hiroshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 01-01-2011
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Blood Donors; Carrier State - epidemiology; Carrier State - virology; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Geography; Hepatitis B - epidemiology; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - blood; Hepatitis C - epidemiology; Hepatitis C Antibodies - blood; Humans; Japan - epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Models, Statistical; Prevalence; Young Adult; Japan
• DOI: 10.1159/000324525
• EISSN: 1423-0100

To estimate total numbers of undiagnosed carriers of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Japan.
Area- and age-specific prevalence of HCV as well as HBV was determined in the first-time blood donors [20-39 years (n = 2,429,364)] and examinees of periodical health check-ups [40-74 years (6,204,968 for HCV and 6,228,967 for HBV)] in Japan. Prevalence in adolescents [5-19 years (79,256 for HCV and 68,792 for HBV)] was determined in a single prefecture, and that of HCV in the elderly (≥ 75 years) was estimated by the exponential model. HBV infection was determined by the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen, and HCV infection by either the algorithm or assuming persistent infection in 70% of the individuals with antibody to HCV.
Of the total population of 127,285,653 in 2005, 807,903 (95% CI 679,886-974,292) were estimated to be infected with HCV at a carrier rate of 0.63%, and 903,145 (837,189-969,572) with HBV at that of 0.71%.
Accurate estimation of undiagnosed HCV and HBV carriers in the general population would help to predict the future burden of liver disease, and take appropriate measures for improving healthcare.