Reply to: “Identification of chronic hepatitis B”
Authors: Irene K. Veldhuijzen, Harry L.A. Janssen
Journal: Journal of Hepatology (2013)

Identification of chronic hepatitis BJournal of HepatologyVol. 58Issue 5PreviewOne paper with impressive findings recently published in The Journal of Hepatology by Veldhuijzen et al., reported that on-site testing could increase the detecting rate of hepatitis B for high-risk persons [1]. We would like to comment that Veldhuijzen et al.'s paper highlights the concept that only those who know they are infected with hepatitis B could have the chance to receive antiviral treatment. Likewise, Hsu et al.'s study showed that using electronic health records among primary care providers could significantly increase the screening rate of hepatitis B for high-risk persons [2]. Full-Text PDF Open AccessIdentification and treatment of chronic hepatitis B in Chinese migrants: Results of a project offering on-site testing in Rotterdam, The NetherlandsJournal of HepatologyVol. 57Issue 6PreviewMigrants born in countries where hepatitis B is endemic are a risk group for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Treatment options have improved, but due to the asymptomatic nature of chronic HBV infection, the majority of patients remain unidentified. Full-Text PDF We appreciate the letter to the editor regarding our paper on the results of a project offering on-site hepatitis B testing to Chinese migrants in Rotterdam [[1]Veldhuijzen I.K. Wolter R. Rijckborst V. Mostert M. Voeten H.A. Cheung Y. et al.Identification and treatment of chronic hepatitis B in Chinese migrants: results of a project offering on-site testing in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.J Hepatol. 2012; 57: 1171-1176Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (34) Google Scholar]. To take Lai and Liao's suggestion to screen persons born in Taiwan before 1986 further, we would like to recommend offering screening to all persons born in hepatitis B endemic countries before the introduction of universal vaccination.Additionally, Lai and Liao rightly observe that primary care providers could play an important role in the detection of chronic hepatitis B infections. To achieve a substantial increase in the number of identified patients with chronic hepatitis B, we feel efforts should be targeted at several healthcare settings. Hwang et al. studied ten thousand patients receiving chemotherapy and found that only 17% were screened for hepatitis B [[2]Hwang J.P. Fisch M.J. Zhang H. Kallen M.A. Routbort M.J. Lal L.S. et al.Low rates of hepatitis B virus screening at the onset of chemotherapy.J Oncol Pract. 2012; 8: e32-e39Crossref PubMed Scopus (70) Google Scholar]. This shows that besides improving screening rates through outreach programmes and interventions aimed at primary care, room for improvement also exists in the hospital setting.Conflict of interestThe authors declared that they do not have anything to disclose regarding funding or conflict of interest with respect to this manuscript. We appreciate the letter to the editor regarding our paper on the results of a project offering on-site hepatitis B testing to Chinese migrants in Rotterdam [[1]Veldhuijzen I.K. Wolter R. Rijckborst V. Mostert M. Voeten H.A. Cheung Y. et al.Identification and treatment of chronic hepatitis B in Chinese migrants: results of a project offering on-site testing in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.J Hepatol. 2012; 57: 1171-1176Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (34) Google Scholar]. To take Lai and Liao's suggestion to screen persons born in Taiwan before 1986 further, we would like to recommend offering screening to all persons born in hepatitis B endemic countries before the introduction of universal vaccination. Additionally, Lai and Liao rightly observe that primary care providers could play an important role in the detection of chronic hepatitis B infections. To achieve a substantial increase in the number of identified patients with chronic hepatitis B, we feel efforts should be targeted at several healthcare settings. Hwang et al. studied ten thousand patients receiving chemotherapy and found that only 17% were screened for hepatitis B [[2]Hwang J.P. Fisch M.J. Zhang H. Kallen M.A. Routbort M.J. Lal L.S. et al.Low rates of hepatitis B virus screening at the onset of chemotherapy.J Oncol Pract. 2012; 8: e32-e39Crossref PubMed Scopus (70) Google Scholar]. This shows that besides improving screening rates through outreach programmes and interventions aimed at primary care, room for improvement also exists in the hospital setting. Conflict of interestThe authors declared that they do not have anything to disclose regarding funding or conflict of interest with respect to this manuscript. The authors declared that they do not have anything to disclose regarding funding or conflict of interest with respect to this manuscript.