Sex- and age-specific carriers of hepatitis B and C viruses in Japan estimated by the prevalence in the 3,485,648 first-time blood donors during 1995-2000

Objective: Carriers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Japan were estimated on a national basis. Methods: Sera from the first-time blood donors aged 16 - 64 years in eight jurisdictions of the Japanese Red Cross Blood Center during 1995 - 2000 were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen ( HBsAg) and antibody to HCV (anti-HCV). Viremia with HCV was estimated to be present in 70% of donors with anti-HCV. Results: HBsAg was detected in 22,018 of 3,485,648 ( 0.63%) blood donors including 12,990 of 1,780,149 (0.73%) men and 9,028 of 1,705,499 (0.53%) women, and anti-HCV in 17,010 (0.49%) including 8,504 (0.48%) men and 8,506 (0.50%) women. Multiplying the carrier rate by the population registered in the Census 2000, the total HBV carriers aged 15 - 65 years were estimated at 967,753 (95% confidence interval 806,760 - 1,128,745), of whom 571,210 ( 479,267 - 663,152) were men and 396,543 ( 327,494 - 465,593) were women. Likewise, the total HCV carriers were estimated at 884,954 (95% confidence interval 725,082 - 1,044,826), of whom 464,363 ( 377,927 550,799) were men and 420,591 ( 347,156 - 494,027) were women. Conclusion: Estimated numbers of HBV and HCV carriers would help plan to prevent the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in Japan. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.