Simultaneously high prevalences of hepatitis B and C virus infections in a population in Putian County, China

This study investigated a rare area of endemicity with a high prevalence of both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, in Putian County, China. Among 1,050 subjects, the overall prevalence of HBsAg seropositivity was 15.8%, and that of anti-HCV seropositivity was 28.9%. Intrafamilial viral transmission might be the major cause of the high prevalence of HBV infection in this region. However, HCV infection was shown to be associated with the use of inadequately sterilized medical equipment.