<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The worldwide distribution of the HBV infection has usually been estimated by the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among the general population. Total antibodies for hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) are the most important diagnostic marker for proving prior exposure to HBV.</p>
<sec><h3>Aim</h3>
<p>The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among Bulgarian population. Reliable epidemiologic data is needed to estimate the prevalence of Hepatitis B in order to determine the actual burden of the infection and to plan prevention and control measures.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Materials and methods</h3>
<p>A total of 2140 serum samples were tested for major serological markers of HBV (HBsAg and anti-HBc) for a period of two years (2018-2019).</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Results</h3>
<p>We established an intermediate prevalence of HBsAg (5.1%) and high prevalence of anti-HBc (27%) among HBsAg negative individuals.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>In conclusion, the prevalence of Hepatitis B is much higher among those born before the introduction of universal hepatitis B vaccination in Bulgaria (1992).</p>
</sec>
</abstract>

The worldwide distribution of the HBV infection has usually been estimated by the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among the general population. Total antibodies for hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) are the most important diagnostic marker for proving prior exposure to HBV.
Aim
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among Bulgarian population. Reliable epidemiologic data is needed to estimate the prevalence of Hepatitis B in order to determine the actual burden of the infection and to plan prevention and control measures.

Materials and methods
A total of 2140 serum samples were tested for major serological markers of HBV (HBsAg and anti-HBc) for a period of two years (2018-2019).

Results
We established an intermediate prevalence of HBsAg (5.1%) and high prevalence of anti-HBc (27%) among HBsAg negative individuals.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the prevalence of Hepatitis B is much higher among those born before the introduction of universal hepatitis B vaccination in Bulgaria (1992).

Prevalence of Hepatitis B in Random Bulgarian Blood Samples – A Single-Site Experience

Department of Health Economics, Faculty of Public Health „Prof. Tsekomir Vodenicharov

Acta Medica Bulgarica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The worldwide distribution of the HBV infection has usually been estimated by the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among the general...

Prevalence of Hepatitis B in Random Bulgarian Blood Samples – A Single-Site Experience

Published Online: May 14, 2023

Page range: 5 - 9

Received: Feb 23, 2022

Accepted: Sep 20, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/amb-2023-0013

Keywords
Hepatitis B, HBsAg, anti-HBc, prevalence, Bulgaria

© 2023 A. Gotseva et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B in Random Bulgarian Blood Samples – A Single-Site Experience

Published Online: May 14, 2023

Page range: 5 - 9

Received: Feb 23, 2022

Accepted: Sep 20, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/amb-2023-0013

KeywordsHepatitis B, HBsAg, anti-HBc, prevalence, Bulgaria

© 2023 A. Gotseva et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Hepatitis B, HBsAg, anti-HBc, prevalence, Bulgaria