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On September 19, 2008, CDC published updated and expanded guidelines for testing for chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and recommendations for public health evaluation and management for chronically infected persons and their contacts. Serologic testing for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is the primary way to identify persons chronic HBV infection. Testing for HBsAg now is recommended for: persons born in geographic regions with HBsAg prevalence of ≥2% US born persons not vaccinated as infants whose parents were born in geographic regions with HBsAg prevalence of ≥8% injection-drug users men who have sex with men persons with elevated ALT/AST of unknown etiology persons with selected medical conditions who require immunosuppressive therapy
Testing continues to be recommended for: pregnant women infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers household contacts and sex partners of HBV-infected persons persons who are the source of blood or body fluid exposures that might warrant postexposure prophylaxis (e.g., needlestick injury to a health care worker) persons infected with HIV
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