Breast feeding and immunoprophylaxis efficacy of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to explore if hepatitis B virus (HBV) may be transmitted via breast milk through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), and assay the immunoprophylaxis efficacy after passive–active immunization.

Method: From year 2008 to 2012, 67?720 pregnant women were screened and 1186 HBsAg-carrier mothers and their infants aged 8–12 months were followed in multi-centers of China, among whom HBV markers (HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb and HBcAb) and HBV-DNA were measured.

Results: HBsAg positive rate of pregnant women was 6.7% (4533/67?720) and infants’ immunoprophylaxis failure rate was 3.3% (39/1186). Immunoprophylaxis failure infants were all born to mothers of HBeAg positive and HBV-DNA >6 log₁₀ copies/ml. Among infants of HBeAg positive mothers, HBV infection rate was 9.0% and HBsAg positive rate was 8.3% in breast-feeding group versus 9.2% in formula-feeding group, P?=?0.761. Occurrence of perinatal HBV infection was indicated in uterus or during delivery. Different feeding patterns had no effects on HBsAb conversion of infants with the implementation of immunization.

Conclusions: HBsAg prevelance rate of pregnant women enrolled was 6.7% and immunoprophylaxis failure rate of infants was 3.3%, while the infection rate reached 9.0% in infants of HBeAg positive mothers. Breast feeding did not increase the occurrence of HBV MTCT.     

Prevention of vertical hepatitis B transmission by hepatitis B immunoglobulin in the third trimester of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible efficacy of using hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) during the third trimester of pregnancy to prevent intrauterine transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV). METHODS: Of 469 pregnant women testing positive for hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg), 126 had hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and 343 did not. RESULTS: There were women who declined to be treated with HBIG in these 2 groups. Among infants born to HBeAg-positive mothers, the rates of those testing positive for HBsAg at birth and at the 6-month visit were significantly lower when the mothers had been treated with HBIG (P<0.05). Among infants born to HBeAg-negative mothers, however, no significant differences were found whether the mothers had been treated or not. Furthermore, all newborns received HBIG treatment and the first dose of a vaccination schedule within 12 h of birth. At the 6-month visit the protective anti-HBs rates were only 32.3% among infants whose mothers were HBeAg-positive and 56.2% among those whose mothers were HBeAg-negative when their mothers had not been treated with HBIG during pregnancy, whereas the corresponding rates were as high as 75.8% and 88.7% when the mothers had been treated. CONCLUSION: Maternal administration of HBIG is effective in preventing intrauterine fetal HBV infection in HBsAg-positive, HBeAg-positive pregnant women and in improving immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in infants born to HBV carriers.     

乙型肝炎疫苗和乙肝免疫球蛋白阻断乙肝病毒母婴传播的效果

目的:调查实际应用中免疫预防阻断乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)母婴传播的效果,观察孕期注射乙肝免疫球蛋白(HBIG)能否减少HBV母婴感染。方法:对2006年1月至2010年12月在镇江市妇幼保健院分娩的224例乙肝表面抗原(HBsAg)阳性母亲以及250例儿童,结合住院病历,进行回顾性调查,记录母亲孕期HBIG使用情况、子女出生后HBIG和乙型肝炎疫苗接种资料,并采血检测HBV血清标志物及谷丙转氨酶(ALT)。其中69例儿童出生后免疫预防前采外周血检测HBV血清标志物。结果:250例HBsAg阳性孕妇的子女随访时年龄(3.3±1.6)岁,出生时检测HBV标志物的69例中,4例HB-sAg阳性,其中2例随访时HBsAg仍阳性,乙型肝炎e抗原(HBeAg)也阳性,说明慢性感染,另外2例HBsAg转阴;1例出生时HBsAg阴性,但随访时转为阳性。另1例出生时未检测,随访时HBsAg阳性。因此共4例(1.6%)慢性感染HBV,其母亲均为HBeAg阳性。4例感染儿童中,2例出生时未注射HBIG,且未正规接种疫苗。随访的224例母亲中,215例明确孕期使用HBIG的情况;76例子女的母亲孕期注射了HBIG,1例(1.3%)HBsAg阳性,142例子女的139例母亲孕期未使用HBIG,3例(2.1%)HBsAg阳性(P>0.05)。结论:HBsAg阳性孕妇的子女经正规免疫预防后,HBV母婴阻断效果良好,部分预防失败是由于未实施正规预防。新生儿出生时HBV血清标志物不能作为诊断是否感染HBV的指标。孕晚期使用HBIG对阻断母婴感染无效。     

Studies on the risk factors of intrauterine infection of hepatitis B virus

In order to elucidate the mechanism involved in HBV intrauterine infection, some risk factors were checked among 22 HBsAg and HBeAg positive carrier mothers. It was found that the HBV intrauterine infection had no correlation with (1) abnormal maternal liver functions, (2) high HBsAg and HBeAg titers or high concentration of HBV-DNA in the maternal serum or (3) HBeAg titer in the cord serum. Four babies were born to mothers with positive symptoms and signs of threatened abortion and/or threatened premature labor during pregnancy. Among them, two babies born at full term were HBV infected cases in utero, whereas the other two babies born within one week after the occurrence of threatened premature labor showed negative HBsAg antigenemia at birth and HBIG was immediately administered and prevented HBV infection. We therefore inferred that placental leakage caused by uterine contraction during pregnancy could cause maternal blood to enter the fetal circulation and cause HBV intrauterine infection. Moreover, even if placental leakage occurs, HBV infection might be prevented by administering HBIG within a week.     

常规免疫预防阻断乙型肝炎病毒母婴感染的效果

目的 评价免疫预防措施在实际应用中阻断乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)母婴感染的效果,阐明孕妇孕晚期使用乙肝免疫球蛋白(hepatitis B immunoglobulin,HBIG)能否减少HBV母婴感染.方法 将2002年7月至2004年8月江苏省14个县市的419例乙型肝炎表面抗原(hepatitis B surface antigen,HBsAg)阳性孕妇所分娩子女作为研究组,同地区同期的453例 HBsAg-孕妇分娩的子女作为对照组,于2009年10月至2010年3月期间对2组研究对象进行随访,调查母亲孕期HBIG使用情况以及子女出生后HBIG和乙型肝炎疫苗接种情况,检测儿童HBV血清标志物.率的比较采用χ2分析或者Fisher精确概率法,均数的比较采用t检验.结果研究组实际随访298例(71.12%),其中11例(3.69%) HBsAg+;而随访的328例(72.41%)对照组中,HBsAg阳性率为0.00 (χ2=12.32,P<0.01).共11例儿童HBsAg+,其母亲均为HBsAg和HBeAg同时阳性,除1例具体情况不详外,9例儿童在出生时明确没有使用HBIG或延迟接种疫苗,仅1例同时规范使用了HBIG和乙型肝炎疫苗.2组儿童抗-HBs阳性率分别为69.46%和69.21% (χ2=0.01,P=0.95).孕晚期注射HBIG的92例孕妇中,2例(2.17%)儿童HBsAg+;未使用HBIG的197例孕妇中,9例(4.57%)儿童HBsAg+ (χ2=0.98,P=0.51).结论 江苏省常规免疫预防措施在阻断母婴HBV感染方面取得了良好的效果,但对HBV携带孕妇(特别是HBeAg+者)的新生儿仍需强调及时注射HBIG.孕妇孕晚期使用HBIG不能减少母婴HBV感染.

Abstract：

Objective To assess the protective effect of vaccination in routine application on hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposed infants and to clarify whether hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) administration of pregnant women may reduce the risk of maternal-fetal transmission of HBV. Methods Serum samples of 6398 pregnant women at gestation of 15-20 weeks from 6 urban and 8 rural areas across Jiangsu province were previously tested for serologic markers of HBV by ELISA from July 2002 to August 2004. In this study, infants born to 419 HBV carrier mothers were taken as the study group, while infants born to 453 non-carrier mothers were taken as the control group by stratified random sampling. They were followed-up and screened for HBV markers during October 2009 to March 2010. Information including HBIG administration during pregnancy, HBV vaccination and HBIG administration of the infants were collected. χ2 test or Fisher′s exact method were used to compare the rates and the comparison of the means was by t test. Results The follow-up rates of the study group and control group were 71.12% (298/419) and 72.41% (328/453), respectively. Of the 298 infants born to HBV carrier mothers, 11 (3.7%) were positive for HBsAg, while none of the 328 infants born to non-carrier mothers was HBsAg positive (χ2=12.32, P<0.01). All of the 11 children were born to mothers with both HBsAg and HBeAg positive, and nine of the 11 children were not injected HBIG or not immunized with hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours after birth, with only one received regular vaccination and detailed information was unknown in one case. The positive rates of anti-HBs in the study group and the control group were 69.46% and 69.21% respectively (χ2=0.01, P=0.95). HBsAg positive rate of the children born to pregnant women treated with HBIG during late pregnancy (n=92) was 2.17% (n=2), whereas that in the children born to women not treated with HBIG (n=197) was 4.57% (χ2=0.98, P=0.51). Conclusions The protective effect of immunoprophylaxis in routine application against perinatal HBV infection in Jiangsu province is good. Efforts are required to emphasize the importance of HBIG administration in infants born to HBV carrier mothers, especially in HBeAg positive mothers within 24 hours after delivery. Treatment of HBsAg positive pregnant women with HBIG in third trimester would not decrease the risk of maternal-fetal transmission of HBV.     

免疫阻断乙型肝炎病毒母婴传播多中心研究

目的 探讨孕产妇乙型肝炎表面抗原（HBsAg）阳性率及乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）母婴传播阻断的效果。方法 2008－2012年,通过多中心队列研究,对湖北省、山西省、广东省、新疆维吾尔自治区等地的孕产妇进行HBsAg筛查;对上述地区部分医院入院分娩的HBsAg阳性母亲及8～12个月龄婴儿进行随访观察,所有标本检测乙型肝炎血清标志物(HBsAg,HBsAb,HBeAg,HBeAb,HBcAb),部分标本检测HBV DNA。结果　筛查孕妇82214例,HBsAg阳性4924例,阳性率6.0%。随访HBsAg阳性母亲及8～12个月龄婴儿1371对,婴儿免疫阻断失败率3.1%（42/1371）,HBsAg及HBeAg双阳性母亲婴儿的免疫阻断失败率为8.2%。免疫阻断失败的婴儿其母亲均为HBeAg阳性且HBV DNA≥6 log10 copies/mL。HBeAg阳性母亲孕期注射乙型肝炎免疫球蛋白(hepatitis B immune globulin, HBIG)及未注射HBIG组,其婴儿免疫阻断失败率差异无统计学意义(8.8% vs. 8.1%, P=0.807)。结论　多中心调查显示目前孕产妇HBsAg阳性率6.0%,HBV母婴阻断失败率3.1%。HBsAg及HBeAg双阳性且HBV DNA≥6 log10 copies/mL 的孕妇应为母婴阻断的重点人群。孕妇孕期注射HBIG不能提高HBV母婴阻断效果。     

Efficacy of Antiviral Therapy in HBsAg-Positive Pregnant Women to Reduce Mother-to-Infant Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus

Background and Objectives

Hepatitis B is a major health concern in Asia. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may cause hepatic cirrhosis and liver cancer. HBV is transmitted horizontally through blood and blood products and vertically from mother to infant. Perinatal infection is the main route of transmission in regions with high prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) carriage, and perinatal transmission leads to high rates of chronic infection. Therefore, it is important to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HBV1. The present study aims at comparing the use of antivirals (lamivudine vs tenofovir) in reducing MTCT.

Materials and Methods

A total of 60 HbsAg-positive pregnant women were enrolled in the prospective study to test the efficacy of antiviral (lamivudine vs tenofovir—category B drug) to reduce mother-to-child transmission and monitor hepatitis B viral status in infant. HbsAg-positive pregnant women aged 18–43 years at gestational age between 28 and 32 weeks were followed up. They were tested for HBsAg, liver function test and HBeAg. In whom HbeAg was positive, HBV viral load was tested. Sixty patients with high viral load (>6 log copies/ml) were recruited in the study. Alternate patients were randomized into two groups. Group A comprised 31 subjects treated with lamivudine 100 mg daily starting from 28 to 32 weeks of gestation (third trimester) and continued to 1 month after delivery. Group B comprised 29 pregnant women who were treated with tenofovir 300 mg daily from 28 to 32 weeks of gestation and continued to 1 month post-partum. The newborn babies were given HBIG within 24 h after delivery and HBV vaccines at 0, 1 and 6 months. HBsAg infectivity was tested in the infant at 1 year after birth.

Results

Antivirals, lamivudine/tenofovir treatment in HBV carrier mothers from 28 weeks of gestation along with active and passive immunization of new born may interrupt MTCT of HBV efficiently. Tenofovir, category B drug, is more effective in preventing transmission of HBV infection to infants (p = 0.004).

     

孕妇乙肝免疫球蛋白被动免疫阻断HBV母婴垂直传播作用机理的研究

目的 :研究HBV阳性孕妇孕期应用乙肝免疫球蛋白 (HBIG)预防HBV宫内感染的作用机理。方法 :将 78例乙肝表面抗原 (HBsAg)阳性孕妇分为两组 :预防组 30例 ,于孕 2 8、32、36周肌肉注射HBIG 3次 ,每次 2 0 0IU ;对照组 4 8例 ,只随访查体不用药。检测母儿血清乙肝标志物 (HBVM)和细胞因子IFN γ ,IL 12 ,IL 6水平用双抗夹心酶联免疫吸附法 (DAS ELISA) ,测定HBVDNA含量用荧光定量PCR(FQ PCR)技术。结果 :78例HB sAg阳性孕妇分娩的新生儿宫内感染 10例 ,宫内感染率为 12 .82 % .HBIG预防组孕妇的胎儿HBV感染率显著低于对照组 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;预防组新生儿脐血清抗 HBs检出率显著高于对照组 (P <0 .0 0 1) ;预防组孕妇血清中IFN γ ,IL 12水平显著高于对照组 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,IL 6水平、HBVDNA含量则显著低于对照组 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :孕妇HBIG被动免疫可有效阻断HBV母婴垂直传播。     

Hepatitis B—management of acute infection and active inflammation in pregnancy—a hepatologist's perspective

Women at childbearing age and pregnant ladies living in the areas of high or intermediate prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) remain at risk of getting the infection and passing the infections to their offspring via mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HBV. HBV infection may affect the mothers by active hepatitis, very occasionally liver cirrhosis and rarely fulminant hepatitis and liver failure. The virus may be transmitted to the babies despite immunoprophylaxis in the setting of very high maternal viral load. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) has been shown to be efficacious to reduce MTCT of HBV, which contributes to the elimination of chronic HBV infection by 2030, the goal set by World Health Organization.     

乙肝表面抗原阳性孕妇肌注乙肝免疫球蛋白预防母婴传播的临床研究

目的　探讨经母亲对胎儿行被动免疫在预防乙型肝炎病毒(HBV) 宫内感染中的作用。方法　对自孕20 周起多次肌注乙肝免疫球蛋白(HBIG) 的HBsAg( ) 孕妇34 例(A 组) 及未注射的14 例HBsAg( ) 孕妇(B 组) ,用固相放免法和套式PCR 检测母血HBsAg 、HBV DNA 及其新生儿血HBsAg 、抗HBS、HBV DNA。结果　A 组35例新生儿中32 例血清抗HBS( ) ,与B 组相比具有显著差异( P < 0-05) 。A 组新生儿血HBsAg 、HBV DNA 检出率均明显低于B 组。A 组孕妇用药后血HBsAg 滴度及HBVDNA 水平较用药前明显下降。结论　经母亲对胎儿行被动免疫可有效预防HBV 宫内感染。     

Anaphylactic shock due to hepatitis B immunoglobulin in a newborn

Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) is administered for the passive immunisation of all infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers within 12?h of birth. Adverse effects of HBIG are very rare. In this study, we report a newborn (a female, 33 weeks' gestation and 2030?g birth weight) developing anaphylaxis after HBIG administration. The mother was a Hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier. Hypotension and erythematous rash developed 7?min after HBIG administration. Reporting the first anaphylaxis case in newborns due to HBIG in literature, we suggest the condition be taken into account, and requisite precautions should be taken against this probable complication in the newborn.     

Mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among HIV-infected pregnant women on highly active anti-retroviral therapy with premature rupture of membranes at term

Purpose: To determine mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) rate and associated risk factors of human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) among HIV-infected pregnant women with term premature rupture of membranes (PROM) in comparison with those without PROM at term.

Materials and methods: All optimally managed HIV-positive pregnant women of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, on highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) who had PROM at term were enrolled. Maternal HIV-1 viral load was not assessed. Follow up was for a minimum of 18 months for evidence of HIV infection.

Results: Of the 121 women with PROM at term, 46 (38.0%) were HIV sero-positive, 22/46 (47.8%) of which had their babies followed up till 18 months. The mean latency period was 10.5?±?5.3?h in PROM group. Apart from duration of PROM (OR?=?0.01; 95%CI?=?0.00–0.13; p?p?>?0.05). Of the 22 (47.8%) babies followed-up in the PROM group and 13 in non-PROM group, none tested positive to HIV, given an MTCT rate of 0%.

Conclusions: MTCT rate was 0% following term PROM and in women without PROM. Since maternal HIV-1 viral load was not assessed, we need to be critical while interpreting the findings.     

乙型肝炎病毒携带者母乳喂养的研究

目的探讨乙型肝炎(乙肝)病毒(hepatitis B virus，HBV)携带者在其新生儿、婴儿接受被动及主动全程联合免疫的条件下，是否可以母乳喂养。方法对2001年9月至2003年10月间妊娠期无症状HBV携带者所娩婴儿进行前瞻性随访研究，新生儿出生时留取脐血检测HBV脱氧核糖核酸(HBV DNA)，出生后12h内及第14天注射乙肝免疫球蛋白，并按0、1、6的程序全程接种乙肝疫苗，由产妇自愿选择母乳喂养或人工喂养，55例母乳喂养，36例人工喂养。分别于婴儿7个月和12个月时随访检测HBV DNA及乙肝血清标志物，婴儿7个月时未感染乙肝但抗-HBs阴性者给予乙肝疫苗5μg加强注射。结果婴儿7个月和12月时，母乳喂养组HBV DNA阳性率分别为9．09％(5／55)及9．09％(5／55)，抗HBs阳性率分别为85．45％(47／55)及90．90％(50／55)；人工喂养组HBVDNA阳性率分别为8．33％(3／36)及8．33％(3／36)，抗HBs阳性率分别为86．11％(31／36)及91．67％(33／36)。母乳喂养与人工喂养相比，差异均无统计学意义。结论在新生儿、婴儿接受被动及主动全程联合免疫的条件下，无症状HBV携带者可以母乳喂养。     

孕妇乙型肝炎病毒携带状态与母婴传播的研究

目的 :探讨孕妇乙型肝炎 (乙肝 )病毒 (HBV)携带状态与母婴传播的关系。方法 :用荧光定量PCR法检测HBV表面抗原 (HBsAg)阳性孕妇血清中HBV脱氧核糖核酸(HBVDNA)及脐血HBVDNA ,婴儿出生后 1 2h内及第 1 4天注射乙肝免疫球蛋白 ,并按0、1、6的程序全程接种乙肝疫苗 ,进行前瞻性随访研究 ,分别于婴儿 7月及 1 2月时随访 ,检测HBVDNA及乙肝血清标志物 ,婴儿 7月时未感染乙肝但抗 HBs阴性者加强注射乙肝疫苗 5μg。 结果 :HBsAg、HBeAg及抗 HBc阳性孕妇的新生儿脐血HBVDNA阳性率为1 8.37% (9/ 4 9) ;HBsAg及HBeAg双阳性者为 1 2 .50 % (2 / 1 6) ;HBsAg及抗 HBc阳性者为1 2 .50 % (3/ 2 4 ) ;HBsAg,抗 HBe和抗 HBc阳性者为 1 .37% (1 / 73) ;脐血HBVDNA阳性的新生儿均生于HBVDNA阳性的母亲 ,阳性率为 1 8.52 % (1 5/ 81 ) ,不同HBV携带状态的脐血阳性率有统计学差异。总母婴传播率为 9.78%。结论 :孕妇HBV携带状态与母婴传播有关 ,孕妇血清HBeAg阳性或HBVDNA含量高是母婴传播的重要因素之一 ,孕妇血清HBVDNA阴性者母婴垂直传播的风险极小。在新生儿、婴儿接受被动及主动全程联合免疫的条件下 ,产时、产后HBV的母婴传播可以预防     

Hepatitis B – Vertical transmission and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the commonest cause of chronic hepatitis, with an estimated global prevalence of 3.5%, and which leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) during pregnancy is the leading form of transmission in endemic populations, and its interruption is thus crucial as the initial step in the elimination of HBV infection, notwithstanding the availability of potent antiviral medications. The risk of MTCT is dramatically reduced by timely neonatal HBV vaccination and the administration of hepatitis B immunoglobulin after birth in high-risk infants. Maternal HBV DNA quantification during pregnancy allows the assessment of the risk of newborn immunoprophylaxis failure (IF). Maternal antiviral treatment in highly viremic women can reduce the risk of IF. However, the optimal HBV DNA cutoff level for the initiation of antiviral treatment remains to be determined.     

Breastfeeding initiation: is this influenced by maternal hepatitis B infection?

Objective: To elucidate the effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on breastfeeding uptake in Chinese mothers in an endemic region. Patients and Methods: A retrospective cohort study on 63 885 consecutive pregnant delivered between January 1997 and June 2008, were extracted from computerized database to examine the relationship between breastfeeding uptake and maternal HBV status, adjusted for demographic factors. Results: A total of 6593 (10.3%) women were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive, with an annual prevalence of around 10%. In the study period, 29 869 (46.8%) practised breastfeeding, and its prevalence ranged from 35.4 to 54.8% with an increasing trend throughout the years (p < 0.001). HBsAg-positive mothers had a significantly lower rate of breastfeeding (39.2 vs. 47.6% p < 0.001). Multiparas had higher incidence of HBV infection (10.9 vs. 9.8%, p < 0.001) and lower breastfeeding rate (42.2% versus 51.0%, p < 0.001) when compared with primiparas. Among those factors, maternal HBV infection had the strongest negative association with breastfeeding (adjusted odd ratio (aOR) = 0.726, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.689–0.765). Conclusions: Our results suggested maternal HBV infection was one of the factors for the persistently low breastfeeding rate in Hong Kong over the past decades. To promote breastfeeding, it is necessary to generate definitive data on its safety regarding to mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HBV in order to allay the fear and anxiety in HBsAg-positive mothers.     

Hepatitis B and C in pregnancy

In general, pregnancy does not influence the course of hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infection. Most neonates born to mothers who suffer from acute viral hepatitis B and C are asymptomatic. Chronic hepatitis B and C infections can be transmitted to neonates. This route of transmission of HBV is a major contributing factor to the high carrier rate in endemic countries where 80–95% of infants born to HBsAg/HBeAg-positive (hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e antigen respectively) mothers are infected. Despite the availability of a immunoprophylactic vaccine, 10–15% of these infants are still infected. The possible reasons for vaccine failure include the ability of HBV antigens to induce immunotolerance and the existence of HBV variants. The factors contributing to vertical transmission of HBV and HCV are also discussed. These factors include viral load, virus variants and sensitivity of diagnostic tests. The rate of vertical transmission of HCV of less than 5% is lower compared to HBV in HCV-ribonucleic-acid-positive mothers. However, the risk of HCV transmission is increased to about 23% if the pregnant women are also human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive.     

131例乙肝孕妇行介入性产前诊断的垂直传播风险分析

目的了解行介入性诊断的乙肝孕妇发生垂直传播的风险情况。方法回顾性分析2017年7月至2018年6月间来广东省妇幼保健院产前诊断科行介入性产前诊断、符合纳入标准的乙肝表面抗原(HBsAg)阳性孕妇及其所生婴儿的临床资料,总结不同穿刺类型、不同穿刺指征、是否合并乙肝e抗原(HBeAg)阳性等情况下的母婴垂直传播风险。结果本研究共纳入131例(含双胎5例)乙肝孕妇和136例所生婴儿,共3例(2.21%)在乙肝联合免疫后依然被检出感染乙肝;HBeAg阴性和HBeAg阳性孕妇所生婴儿发生感染的几率分别为1.09%(1/92)和5.71%(2/35);乙肝病毒DNA定量超过106IU/ml和107IU/ml的垂直传播率分别为4.35%(1/23)和5.00%(1/20);行羊膜腔穿刺术、脐静脉穿刺术和绒毛吸取术的乙肝孕妇发生垂直传播的几率分别为1.11%(1/90)、2.56%(1/39)和14.29%(1/7);因超声异常表现和其他非超声异常指征行介入性产前诊断孕妇发生垂直传播的风险分别为2.82%(2/71)和1.54%(1/65);10例孕妇孕期接受了抗病毒治疗,该10例所生婴儿均未发生感染。结论乙肝孕妇行介入性产前诊断有发生母婴垂直传播的风险,仍需大样本研究进一步探讨。     

Combined passive and active immunization for preventing the development of the infantile carrier state in hepatitis B virus vertical transmission

By applying hepatitis B (HB) immunoglobulin (HBIG) and HB vaccine (vaccine) to 43 infants born to HB e antigen (HBeAg)-positive HB surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier women intramuscularly, and sub-and/or intra-cutaneously, respectively, the clinical usefulness of combined passive and active immunization in preventing infantile development of the carrier state was evaluated. The results obtained in this study are summarised as follows: Of the 43 infants, 5 (11.6%) developed the carrier state and 38(88.4%) were persistent HBsAb-positive. This carrier-rate was found to be significantly lower than that of 78 non-treated infants (73.1%) born to HBeAg-positive carrier women (control). Four of 15 infants (26.7%), who received HBIG every 4 months, developed carrier state, while only one case (3.6%) fell into carrier state in 28 infants who received HBIG every 3 months. In 30 infants whose vaccination was started at 2 or 4 months of age, 93.3% of the cases became persistent HBsAb-positive within 12 months, while 76.9% of 13 infants who underwent the first vaccination at 12 months of age became persistent HBsAb-positive. No adverse effects of HBIG and HB vaccine were observed in this study. In addition, the mean values for serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) were 35 and 69mu/ml in the treated and control groups, respectively. Thus, the present study demonstrates that the infantile development of HBsAg carrier state by HB virus-vertical transmission could be safely, economically and easily prevented by early initiation of vaccination and re-administration of HBIG within 3 months.     

DEFB1 polymorphisms and HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission in Zambian population

Introduction: Human Beta Defensin-1 (hBD-1) is a component of the innate immune system, the first line of defence against pathogens, already reported as involved in the susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) in different populations. We investigated the role of DEFB1 gene (encoding for hBD-1) functional polymorphisms in the susceptibility to HIV-1 MTCT in a population from Zambia.

Methods: Four selected polymorphisms within DEFB1 gene, three at the 5′ untranslated region (UTR), namely -52G?>?A (rs1799946), -44C?>?G (rs1800972) and -20G?>?A (rs11362) and one in the 3′UTR, c.*87A?>?G (rs1800972), were genotyped in 101 HIV-1 positive mothers (26 transmitters -27% and 75 not transmitters -73%) and 331 infants born to HIV-1 infected mothers (85 HIV-1 positive -26% and 246 exposed but not infected -74%).

Results: DEFB1 c.*87–A allele was more frequent among HIV? children with respect to HIV+ (with intrauterine MTCT). Concerning DEFB1 haplotypes, GCGA haplotype resulted more represented in HIV? than HIV+ infants and DEFB1 ACGG haplotype presented increased frequency in HIV? children respect to HIV+ (with intra-partum MTCT) (p?=?.02, p?=?.002 and p?=?.006, respectively).

Conclusions: DEFB1 polymorphisms were significantly associated with decreased risk of HIV-1 infection acquisition in the studied Zambian population suggesting that they may play a role in HIV-1 MTCT.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00310726.