高风险人群筛查可降低感染率和流行率,而早诊断早治疗可降低进展为肝硬化和肝细胞性肝癌的风险。风险人群包括HBV感染母亲分娩的新生儿,在生产过程中接触感染血液或体液有经黏膜传播感染的风险。[36]Ghendon Y. Perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus in high-incidence countries. J Virol Methods. 1987;17:69-79.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3312269?tool=bestpractice.com与HBV感染性伴侣的性接触是传播的重要途径。HBV在受感染者血清内的存在数量是非常惊人的(10^8到10^10 拷贝/mL),在精液、唾液和白细胞内可以检测到。[15]Lee WM. Hepatitis B virus infection. N Engl J Med. 1997;337:1733-1745.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9392700?tool=bestpractice.com吸毒者通过共用针头可导致经皮肤传播。出生在疾病流行区(例如亚洲、非洲)的人群,患病风险增加。[39]World Health Organization. Guidelines for the prevention, care and treatment of persons with chronic hepatitis B infection. March 2015. http://apps.who.int (last accessed 26 July 2017).http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/154590/1/9789241549059_eng.pdf?ua=1&ua=1有HBV和/或慢性肝病或肝细胞性肝癌家族史者,也有较高感染风险。持续近距离的、身体的、不注意的密切接触感染者分泌物,如果接触者有皮肤或黏膜损伤,就可以导致感染,这是因为HBV在体外的一段时间内仍具有感染性,这也是密切接触感染的主要方式。[46]Bond WW, Favero MS, Petersen NJ, et al. Survival of hepatitis B virus after drying and storage for one week. Lancet. 1981;1:550-551.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6111645?tool=bestpractice.com炎症性肠病患者治疗前都要进行HBV的筛查。[58]Rahier JF, Ben-Horin S, Chowers Y, et al. European evidence-based consensus on the prevention, diagnosis and management of opportunistic infections in inflammatory bowel disease. J Crohns Colitis. 2009;3:47-91.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21172250?tool=bestpractice.com