CDC Issues New Recommendations on Hepatitis B Screening and Testing

Courtesy of the CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new recommendations on hepatitis B virus screening and testing. As Conners, et al. (2023) explain, "Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can lead to substantial morbidity and mortality. Although treatment is not considered curative, antiviral treatment, monitoring, and liver cancer surveillance can reduce morbidity and mortality. Effective vaccines to prevent hepatitis B are available."

This report by the researchers updates and expands CDC’s previously published Recommendations for Identification and Public Health Management of Persons with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection (MMWR Recomm Rep 2008;57[No. RR-8]) regarding screening for HBV infection in the United States.

New recommendations include hepatitis B screening using three laboratory tests at least once during a lifetime for adults aged ≥18 years. The report also expands risk-based testing recommendations to include the following populations, activities, exposures, or conditions associated with increased risk for HBV infection: persons incarcerated or formerly incarcerated in a jail, prison, or other detention setting; persons with a history of sexually transmitted infections or multiple sex partners; and persons with a history of hepatitis C virus infection. In addition, to provide increased access to testing, anyone who requests HBV testing should receive it, regardless of disclosure of risk, because many persons might be reluctant to disclose stigmatizing risks.

For more details from the CDC, CLICK HERE

Reference: Conners EE, et al. Screening and Testing for Hepatitis B Virus Infection: CDC Recommendations — United States, 2023
Recommendations and Reports. MMWR. March 10, 2023. 72(1);1–25

Source: CDC