Hepatitis B screening

==Recommendations for Persons Who Should Be Tested for HBV Infection: AASLD Practice Guidelines 2009 == The following groups should be tested for HBV infection:
 * persons born in high or intermediate endemic areas,
 * United States– born persons not vaccinated as infants whose parents were born in regions with high HBV endemicity,
 * persons with chronically elevated aminotransferases,
 * persons needing immunosuppressive therapy
 * men who have sex with men
 * persons with multiple sexual partners or history of sexually transmitted disease,
 * inmates of correctional facilities,
 * persons who have ever used injecting drugs, dialysis patients, HIV or HCV-infected individuals, pregnant women, and family members, household members, and sexual contacts of HBV-infected persons.
 * Testing for HBsAg and anti-HBs should be performed, and seronegative persons should be vaccinated. (Grade I Recommendation)

==Recommendations for HCC Screening: AASLD Practice Guidelines 2009 == 1. HBV carriers at high risk for HCC such as Asian men over 40 years and Asian women over 50 years of age, persons with cirrhosis, persons with a family history of HCC, Africans over 20 years of age, and any carrier over 40 years with persistent or intermittent ALT elevation and/or high HBV DNA level >2,000 IU/mL should be screened with US examination every 6-12 months. (Grade II-2)

2. For HBV carriers at high risk for HCC who are living in areas where US is not readily available, periodic screening with AFP should be considered. (Grade II-2)