Classification and sensitivity analysis of the transmission dynamic of hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B infection caused by the hepatitis B virus is one of the most serious viral infections and a global health problem. In the transmission of hepatitis B infection, three different phases, i.e. acute infected, chronically infected, and carrier individuals, play important roles. Carrier individuals are especially significant, because they do not exhibit any symptoms and are able to transmit the infection. Here we assessed the transmissibility associated with different infection stages of hepatitis B and generated an epidemic model. METHODS: To demonstrate the transmission dynamic of hepatitis B, we investigate an epidemic model by dividing the infectious class into three subclasses, namely acute infected, chronically infected, and carrier individuals with both horizontal and vertical transmission. RESULTS: Numerical results and sensitivity analysis of some important parameters are presented to show that the proportion of births without successful vaccination, perinatally infected individuals, and direct contact rate are highest risk factors for the spread of hepatitis B in the community. CONCLUSION: Our work provides a coherent platform for studying the full dynamics of hepatitis B and an effective direction for theoretical work.