Hepatitis B virus infection in Tunisian pregnant women: risk factors and viral DNA levels in HBe antigen negative women

Objective

To evaluate the seroprevalence and the risk factors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in 2303 Tunisian pregnant women and to estimate the risk of perinatal transmission in women positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) but negative for hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg).

Material and methods

Positive samples were tested for HBeAg and anti-HBe antibody using enzyme immunoassays. Serum HBV-DNA was determined by real time PCR assay.

Results

Overall, 4% of women were HBsAg positive and for the majority of them (96.8%) this status was unknown. Only 1.4% of studied population were vaccinated previously against hepatitis B. Study of risk factors revealed association between the HBsAg status and presence of intrafamilial hepatitis cases (p < 0.05). Only four women were positive for HBeAg. Among patients with HBeAg negative status, only 11% were negative for HBV DNA. For the others, DNA level ranged from 34 to 10⁸ copies/ml; it was greater than 10⁴ copies/ml in 26.5% of them.

Conclusion

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence in pregnant women is of intermediate endemicity in Tunisia. Universal vaccination before pregnancy and antenatal screening is recommended. Pregnant women who are found to be HBsAg positive and HBeAg negative should be tested systematically for DNA level to evaluate the risk of perinatal infection and to prevent it by seroprophylaxy for babies or by treatment during the third trimester of pregnancy.     

胎儿HBV宫内感染及其血清标志物模式

目的探讨孕妇乙型肝炎病毒携带状况与胎儿HBV宫内感染的关系以及胎儿乙型肝炎血清标志物模式及其临床意义.方法检测76例HBsAg阳性的孕妇血清及其所生婴儿脐血的乙肝血清标志物及HBV-DNA,将孕妇血清与胎儿脐血的结果进行分析.结果HBV-DNA阳性孕妇组40例,其胎儿HBV宫内感染率为50%(20/40);HBV-DNA阴性孕妇组36例,其胎儿HBV宫内感染率为19.4%(7/36),两组比较差异有显著性意义(p<0.01).HBsAg阳性孕妇组44例,其胎儿HBV宫内感染率18.2%(8/44);HBsAg、HBeAg阳性组32例,其胎儿脐血HBV宫内感染率53.1%(17/32),两组比较差异有显著性意义(p<0.005).76例胎儿乙肝血清标志物模式有8种:抗-HBe、抗-HBc阳性36例(47.4%);HBeAg、抗-HBc阳性13例(17.1%);抗-HBc阳性11例(14.5%);HBsAg、抗-HBc阳性5例(6.6%);HBsAg、HBeAg、抗-HBc阳性4例(5.3%);HBsAg、抗-HBe、抗-HBc阳性3例(3.9%);抗-HBs、抗-HBe、抗-HBc阳性2例(2.6%);抗-HBe阳性2例(2.6%).结论孕妇HBeAg和HBV-DNA阳性是胎儿HBV宫内感染的高危因素;HBsAg阳性的孕妇所生婴儿脐血的乙肝血清标志物模式具有多样性.     

Patterns in perinatal infection with the hepatitis B virus in areas contrasted by the level of HBsAg and HBeAg carriage

In 1984-1988, the levels of HBsAg carrier state and the status of the "e"-system components in pregnant women in Moscow and in the Uzbek SSR, as well as the rate of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) in babies born to women carriers of HBsAg in regions with different levels of HBsAg and HBeAg carrier state were studied. The levels of HBsAg carrier state among pregnant women were different in Moscow and Uzbekistan (1.1% and 6.9%, respectively). It was noted that in female HBsAg carriers in these regions the rate of HBeAg detection differed greatly: 5.2% in Moscow and 13.9% in Uzbekistan. The frequency of perinatal infection with HBV in Moscow was 26.1%, in Uzbekistan 40.0%, the frequency of persistent carrier state of HBsAg in the infected babies of Uzbekistan was 16.0%. The possibility of formation of HBsAg persistence in babies born to women with HBsAg and anti-HBe in the blood was demonstrated. The problem of the use of specific prophylaxis measures to prevent perinatal transmission of HBV is discussed.     

奉贤地区HBsAg阴性的HBV自然感染母亲对新生儿影响的研究

目的　为揭示HBsAg阴性的乙型肝炎病毒 (HBV)自然感染孕妇的宫内感染及其危险因素。方法　采用多聚酶链反应 (PCR)技术结合酶联免疫吸附法 (ELISA) ,对奉贤地区 131例HBsAg阴性的HBV自然感染孕妇外周血 ,及其分娩后的脐带血进行HBV血清学标志物 (HBVM)和HBVDNA检测。结果　HBsAg阴性的HBV自然感染孕妇宫内的感染率 (除外单一抗 -HBs阳性 )为 5 2 6 7% ;脐血中不同HBVM组合的HBVDNA检出率依次为 :抗 -HBe( )、抗 -HBc( ) >抗 -HBs( )、抗 -HBe( )、抗 -HBc( ) >抗 -HBs( )、抗 -HBe( ) >抗 -HBs( )、抗 -HBc( ) >抗 -HBs( ) ;脐血HBVDNA总检出率为 16 79%。结论　HBsAg阴性的HBV自然感染孕妇也可能发生宫内感染。提议HBsAg阴性的HBV自然感染孕妇和新生儿有进行自动和被动免疫接种的必要性     

Seroprevalence of HIV,HBV, HCV,and HTLV among Pregnant Women in Southwestern Nigeria

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are major public health challenge especially in developing countries. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and Human T-cell lymphotropic Virus type I (HTLV-I) among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic, in Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, and South-Western Nigeria. One hundred and eighty two randomly selected pregnant women were screened for HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV and HTLV-1 IgM antibodies using commercially available ELISA kit. Of the182 blood samples of pregnant women screened whose age ranged from 15–49 years, 13 (7.1%), 5 (2.7%), 9 (4.9%), and 44 (24.2%) were positive for HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV, and HTLV-1 IgM antibodies, respectively. The co-infection rate of 0.5% was obtained for HBV/HCV, HBV/HIV, HIV/HTLV-1, and HCV/HTLV-1 while 1.1% and 0% was recorded for HBV/HTLV-1 and HCV/HIV co-infections, respectively. Expected risk factors such as history of surgery, circumcision, tattooing and incision showed no significant association with any of the viral STIs (P > 0.05). This study shows that there is the need for a comprehensive screening of all pregnant women for HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV and HTLV-1 to prevent mother to child transmission of these viral infections and its attending consequences.     

孕妇乙型肝炎标志物调查和宫内感染分析

目的 了解浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染程度和官内感染的关系.方法 采用时间分辨免疫荧光分析法测定乙型肝炎标志物(HBVM),荧光定量PCR技术测定HBV-DNA.结果 1262例孕妇HBVM感染阳性率:HBsAg、HBsAb、HBeAg、HBeAb、HBcAb总体阳性率分别为2.6%(33/1262),38.2%(482/1262),0.9%(11/1262),22.6%(285/1262)和23.1%(291/1262).33例血清HBsAg阳性孕妇中,11例HBeAg阳性者HBV-DNA多为高载量,宫内感染率是6/11;22例HBeAg阴性者HBV-DNA多为低载量,宫内感染率是2/22;两者比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).总计HBsAg阳性孕妇宫内感染率是24.2%(8/33).结论 浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒感染率较低.孕妇血清HBeAg阳性和HBV-DNA含量高,易发生宫内感染.     

孕妇乙型肝炎标志物调查和宫内感染分析

目的 了解浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染程度和官内感染的关系.方法 采用时间分辨免疫荧光分析法测定乙型肝炎标志物(HBVM),荧光定量PCR技术测定HBV-DNA.结果 1262例孕妇HBVM感染阳性率:HBsAg、HBsAb、HBeAg、HBeAb、HBcAb总体阳性率分别为2.6%(33/1262),38.2%(482/1262),0.9%(11/1262),22.6%(285/1262)和23.1%(291/1262).33例血清HBsAg阳性孕妇中,11例HBeAg阳性者HBV-DNA多为高载量,宫内感染率是6/11;22例HBeAg阴性者HBV-DNA多为低载量,宫内感染率是2/22;两者比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).总计HBsAg阳性孕妇宫内感染率是24.2%(8/33).结论 浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒感染率较低.孕妇血清HBeAg阳性和HBV-DNA含量高,易发生宫内感染.     

Hepatitis B virus DNA in patients with HBsAg in south western Nigeria

There are about 400 million people with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection worldwide with a potential of adverse sequelae including hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent data have shown that the level of HBV DNA in serum or plasma of an infected person probably reflects more accurately the replicative activity of the virus and therefore may serve as a better maker for management of the infection. This study was designed to determine the rate of detection of HBV DNA in blood samples of patients with HBsAg positive in Nigeria in comparison with the HBe and anti‐HBe used widely as serological markers of infectivity. Plasma samples from 105 patients with HBsAg positive were tested for the presence of HBeAg and anti‐HBe using a commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay while plasma HBV DNA was quantified using the COBAS Amplicor HBV Monitor assay. Of the 105 HBsAg samples, 17 (16.2%) and 85 (81%) were positive for HBeAg and anti‐HBe, respectively, while 8 (7.6%) were negative for both HBeAg and anti‐HBe. HBV DNA was detected in 86 (81.9%) of the samples, out of which 15 (18.1%) and 67 (80.7%) were positive for HBeAg and anti‐HBe, respectively. HBV DNA was detected in 78.4% of the HBeAg negative samples and in all the eight samples that were negative for both HBeAg and anti‐HBe. The implication of these findings in the management of patients with HBV infection is compelling. J. Med. Virol. 85:214–218, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

孕妇乙型肝炎标志物调查和宫内感染分析

目的 了解浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染程度和官内感染的关系.方法 采用时间分辨免疫荧光分析法测定乙型肝炎标志物(HBVM),荧光定量PCR技术测定HBV-DNA.结果 1262例孕妇HBVM感染阳性率:HBsAg、HBsAb、HBeAg、HBeAb、HBcAb总体阳性率分别为2.6%(33/1262),38.2%(482/1262),0.9%(11/1262),22.6%(285/1262)和23.1%(291/1262).33例血清HBsAg阳性孕妇中,11例HBeAg阳性者HBV-DNA多为高载量,宫内感染率是6/11;22例HBeAg阴性者HBV-DNA多为低载量,宫内感染率是2/22;两者比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).总计HBsAg阳性孕妇宫内感染率是24.2%(8/33).结论 浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒感染率较低.孕妇血清HBeAg阳性和HBV-DNA含量高,易发生宫内感染.     

孕妇乙型肝炎标志物调查和宫内感染分析

目的 了解浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染程度和官内感染的关系.方法 采用时间分辨免疫荧光分析法测定乙型肝炎标志物(HBVM),荧光定量PCR技术测定HBV-DNA.结果 1262例孕妇HBVM感染阳性率:HBsAg、HBsAb、HBeAg、HBeAb、HBcAb总体阳性率分别为2.6%(33/1262),38.2%(482/1262),0.9%(11/1262),22.6%(285/1262)和23.1%(291/1262).33例血清HBsAg阳性孕妇中,11例HBeAg阳性者HBV-DNA多为高载量,宫内感染率是6/11;22例HBeAg阴性者HBV-DNA多为低载量,宫内感染率是2/22;两者比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).总计HBsAg阳性孕妇宫内感染率是24.2%(8/33).结论 浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒感染率较低.孕妇血清HBeAg阳性和HBV-DNA含量高,易发生宫内感染.     

孕妇乙型肝炎标志物调查和宫内感染分析

目的 了解浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染程度和官内感染的关系.方法 采用时间分辨免疫荧光分析法测定乙型肝炎标志物(HBVM),荧光定量PCR技术测定HBV-DNA.结果 1262例孕妇HBVM感染阳性率:HBsAg、HBsAb、HBeAg、HBeAb、HBcAb总体阳性率分别为2.6%(33/1262),38.2%(482/1262),0.9%(11/1262),22.6%(285/1262)和23.1%(291/1262).33例血清HBsAg阳性孕妇中,11例HBeAg阳性者HBV-DNA多为高载量,宫内感染率是6/11;22例HBeAg阴性者HBV-DNA多为低载量,宫内感染率是2/22;两者比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).总计HBsAg阳性孕妇宫内感染率是24.2%(8/33).结论 浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒感染率较低.孕妇血清HBeAg阳性和HBV-DNA含量高,易发生宫内感染.     

孕妇乙型肝炎标志物调查和宫内感染分析

目的 了解浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染程度和官内感染的关系.方法 采用时间分辨免疫荧光分析法测定乙型肝炎标志物(HBVM),荧光定量PCR技术测定HBV-DNA.结果 1262例孕妇HBVM感染阳性率:HBsAg、HBsAb、HBeAg、HBeAb、HBcAb总体阳性率分别为2.6%(33/1262),38.2%(482/1262),0.9%(11/1262),22.6%(285/1262)和23.1%(291/1262).33例血清HBsAg阳性孕妇中,11例HBeAg阳性者HBV-DNA多为高载量,宫内感染率是6/11;22例HBeAg阴性者HBV-DNA多为低载量,宫内感染率是2/22;两者比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).总计HBsAg阳性孕妇宫内感染率是24.2%(8/33).结论 浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒感染率较低.孕妇血清HBeAg阳性和HBV-DNA含量高,易发生宫内感染.     

孕妇乙型肝炎标志物调查和宫内感染分析

目的 了解浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染程度和官内感染的关系.方法 采用时间分辨免疫荧光分析法测定乙型肝炎标志物(HBVM),荧光定量PCR技术测定HBV-DNA.结果 1262例孕妇HBVM感染阳性率:HBsAg、HBsAb、HBeAg、HBeAb、HBcAb总体阳性率分别为2.6%(33/1262),38.2%(482/1262),0.9%(11/1262),22.6%(285/1262)和23.1%(291/1262).33例血清HBsAg阳性孕妇中,11例HBeAg阳性者HBV-DNA多为高载量,宫内感染率是6/11;22例HBeAg阴性者HBV-DNA多为低载量,宫内感染率是2/22;两者比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).总计HBsAg阳性孕妇宫内感染率是24.2%(8/33).结论 浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒感染率较低.孕妇血清HBeAg阳性和HBV-DNA含量高,易发生宫内感染.     

孕妇乙型肝炎标志物调查和宫内感染分析

目的 了解浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染程度和官内感染的关系.方法 采用时间分辨免疫荧光分析法测定乙型肝炎标志物(HBVM),荧光定量PCR技术测定HBV-DNA.结果 1262例孕妇HBVM感染阳性率:HBsAg、HBsAb、HBeAg、HBeAb、HBcAb总体阳性率分别为2.6%(33/1262),38.2%(482/1262),0.9%(11/1262),22.6%(285/1262)和23.1%(291/1262).33例血清HBsAg阳性孕妇中,11例HBeAg阳性者HBV-DNA多为高载量,宫内感染率是6/11;22例HBeAg阴性者HBV-DNA多为低载量,宫内感染率是2/22;两者比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).总计HBsAg阳性孕妇宫内感染率是24.2%(8/33).结论 浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒感染率较低.孕妇血清HBeAg阳性和HBV-DNA含量高,易发生宫内感染.     

孕妇乙型肝炎标志物调查和宫内感染分析

目的 了解浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染程度和官内感染的关系.方法 采用时间分辨免疫荧光分析法测定乙型肝炎标志物(HBVM),荧光定量PCR技术测定HBV-DNA.结果 1262例孕妇HBVM感染阳性率:HBsAg、HBsAb、HBeAg、HBeAb、HBcAb总体阳性率分别为2.6%(33/1262),38.2%(482/1262),0.9%(11/1262),22.6%(285/1262)和23.1%(291/1262).33例血清HBsAg阳性孕妇中,11例HBeAg阳性者HBV-DNA多为高载量,宫内感染率是6/11;22例HBeAg阴性者HBV-DNA多为低载量,宫内感染率是2/22;两者比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).总计HBsAg阳性孕妇宫内感染率是24.2%(8/33).结论 浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒感染率较低.孕妇血清HBeAg阳性和HBV-DNA含量高,易发生宫内感染.     

孕妇乙型肝炎标志物调查和宫内感染分析

目的 了解浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染程度和官内感染的关系.方法 采用时间分辨免疫荧光分析法测定乙型肝炎标志物(HBVM),荧光定量PCR技术测定HBV-DNA.结果 1262例孕妇HBVM感染阳性率:HBsAg、HBsAb、HBeAg、HBeAb、HBcAb总体阳性率分别为2.6%(33/1262),38.2%(482/1262),0.9%(11/1262),22.6%(285/1262)和23.1%(291/1262).33例血清HBsAg阳性孕妇中,11例HBeAg阳性者HBV-DNA多为高载量,宫内感染率是6/11;22例HBeAg阴性者HBV-DNA多为低载量,宫内感染率是2/22;两者比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).总计HBsAg阳性孕妇宫内感染率是24.2%(8/33).结论 浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒感染率较低.孕妇血清HBeAg阳性和HBV-DNA含量高,易发生宫内感染.     

孕妇乙型肝炎标志物调查和宫内感染分析

目的 了解浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染程度和官内感染的关系.方法 采用时间分辨免疫荧光分析法测定乙型肝炎标志物(HBVM),荧光定量PCR技术测定HBV-DNA.结果 1262例孕妇HBVM感染阳性率:HBsAg、HBsAb、HBeAg、HBeAb、HBcAb总体阳性率分别为2.6%(33/1262),38.2%(482/1262),0.9%(11/1262),22.6%(285/1262)和23.1%(291/1262).33例血清HBsAg阳性孕妇中,11例HBeAg阳性者HBV-DNA多为高载量,宫内感染率是6/11;22例HBeAg阴性者HBV-DNA多为低载量,宫内感染率是2/22;两者比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).总计HBsAg阳性孕妇宫内感染率是24.2%(8/33).结论 浙江省湖州地区孕妇乙型肝炎病毒感染率较低.孕妇血清HBeAg阳性和HBV-DNA含量高,易发生宫内感染.     

Hepatitis B virus concentrations in serum determined by sensitive quantitative assays in patients with established chronic hepatitis delta virus infection.

To clarify the correlation between hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in patients with established chronic hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection, sensitive HBV quantitative assays were used for the study. Thirty-four consecutive patients with chronic liver disease who were positive for both hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HDV (anti-HDV), including 19 patients with chronic hepatitis, 8 patients with liver cirrhosis and 7 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. All were negative for hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) and positive for antibody to HBeAg. HBV DNA was detected in 25 (73.5%) of the 34 patients using real-time detection PCR, and the HBV DNA levels of these patients were significantly lower compared with HBeAg status and ALT level-matched patients with chronic liver disease positive for HBsAg but negative for anti-HDV. There was no correlation between serum HBV DNA and ALT levels among the 34 patients with chronic liver disease positive for anti-HDV. Whereas serum ALT levels in anti-HDV-positive HBsAg carriers with HDV RNA were significantly higher than those without HDV RNA. Liver damage in patients with established chronic HDV infection may be caused mainly by ongoing HDV infection not by HBV replication.     

Prevalence of hepatitis B markers among hospital workers in Senegal

A total of 775 serum samples from men and women working in hospitals in Dakar, Senegal, were tested for serological markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBsAg was detected in 17.8% of the subjects, and 79.2% of the subjects were anti-HBc positive. Among HBsAg carriers 0.04% (5) subjects were HBeAg positive, 0.03% (4) were HBV-DNA positive, and 5.8% (8) were also anti-Delta positive. HBsAg seropositivity was independent of sex and inversely related to age. Duration of service in the hospital was an important predictor of HBsAg seropositivity and the prevalence of seropositive subjects peaked between 2 and 3 years of employment (OR = 1.9; 95% confidence interval [Cl] = 1.1-3.3, when compared to subjects who worked 1 year of less). This peak was critical in the Department of Dentistry, where subjects who worked for 2-3 years experienced a fourfold increase in the risk of HBV infection (OR = 4.0; 95% Cl = 1.8-9.0). Adjusting for age and sex did not modify the results. Within the Department of Dentistry, 15 subjects were HBsAg positive but anti-HBc negative; 12 subjects were retested 1 year later and did not present any markers of past or current HBV infection. These results confirm the increased risk of HBV infection among hospital workers and suggest the presence of HBV variant(s) in Senegal.     

Dynamics and impact of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus in North India

The magnitude and significance of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) were assessed in infants of 8,575 women, of whom 3.7% were seropositive for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). The e antigen of HBV (HBeAg) was found in 7.8% of these carriers, the antibody to HBeAg (anti-HBe) was found in 30.1% of them, and HBsAg alone was found in 62.1% of them. The estimated incidence of HBsAg positivity by 6 months of age in infants of carrier women was significantly (P less than .001) higher than in controls (18.6% vs 3.0%). Transmission was most frequent (87.5%) if the carrier mother was HBeAg positive and was much less so if she was positive for anti-HBe (17.5%) or for HBsAg alone (9.6%). Toward the end of infancy incidence of HBsAg positivity among offspring of carriers and among controls was not different. Most infants positive for HBsAg and HBeAg continued with the infection beyond 6 months of age. It is estimated that about one-third of the adult asymptomatic HBV carriers in India evolve directly from perinatal infection, while the majority become infected during childhood or early adulthood.