Prevalence of Hepatitis C virus infection in pregnant women and mother-child transmission in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) among pregnant women and the rate of mother-child transmission. Over one month (April 26 to May 25, 2002) blood samples of 200 pregnant women who gave birth at the maternity of the university hospital and Gounguin center medical of Ouagadougou were tested for anti-HVC antibodies (Ac HCV) and anti HIV antibodies (Ac HIV). Infants born to mother tested positive for Ac HCV and their mother were tested for HCV-RNA. The prevalence of HCV (positive Ac HCV and HCV-RNA) was 2% in pregnant women (4/200). One case of mother-child transmission was found. The virus transmitted was 2a (A/C) genotype. The mother had a high titre of HCV-ARN, was co-infected by HIV and had had history of blood transfusion, excision and tattoo of the gums.