scholarly journals Maternal and neonatal seroprevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in Tripoli, Libya

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (03) ◽  
pp. 168-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamida El-Magrahe ◽  
Abdul Rahaman Furarah ◽  
Kheiria El-Figih ◽  
Sued El-Urshfany ◽  
Khalifa Sifaw Ghenghesh

Background: Pregnant women with Hepatitis B virus HBV represent a major reservoir of the virus in the community. Data regarding the prevalence of HBV in pregnant women and maternal transmission of the virus in Libya are lacking. Methodology: Hepatitis blood samples from 1,500 pregnant women and 1,500 cord blood samples of their neonates delivered at Tripoli Medical Center, Tripoli, were tested for HBsAg by ELISA technique. HBsAg-positive samples were also tested for HBeAg. Results: HBsAg was detected in 1.5% (23/1,500) pregnant women and in 0.9% (14/1,500) neonates. Although HBsAg was detected at higher rate in pregnant women aged > 25 years [1.8% (22/1,235)] than in pregnant women aged < 25 years [0.4% (1/265)], the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). All HBsAg-positive neonates were born to HBsAg-positive mothers with a rate of maternal transmission at 60.9% (14/23). HBeAg was detected in 21.7% (5/23) and in 7.1% (1/14) of HBsAg-positive pregnant women and neonates, respectively. Conclusions: Because of the high risk of developing chronic HBV infection at birth among infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers, administration of HBIG in combination with hepatitis B vaccine as post-exposure prophylaxis for such infants is of paramount importance. In addition, universal HBsAg screening of all pregnant women will greatly assist in reducing the maternal transmission of HBV in the country.

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwige T. Yelemkoure ◽  
Albert T. Yonli ◽  
Carla Montesano ◽  
Abdoul Karim Ouattara ◽  
Birama Diarra ◽  
...  

The low rate of screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) in pregnant women is a highrisk factor for its vertical transmission. The objectives of this study were: i) to screen pregnant women for HBV infection; ii) vaccinate all children from birth against HBV regardless their mother HBV status; and iii) evaluate after 7 months of birth the level of their AbHBs among babies who received HBV vaccine at birth. Serological markers of HBV (HBsAg, HBeAg, AbHBs, AbHBe, and AbHBc) were determined on venous blood samples from 237 pregnant women and their children using the Abon Biopharm Kit. One hundred and two (102) children received the three doses of the EUVAX B® vaccine respectively at birth, two months and four months of life. Seven months after delivery, venous blood samples were collected from mothers and their children. Antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen (AbHBs) were measured in vaccinated children using the ELISA Kit AbHBs Quantitative EIA. DNA extraction was performed on samples from HBV-seropositive mothers and their children using the Ribo Virus (HBV Real-TM Qual) Kit and for Real Time PCR, the HBV Real-TM Qual Kit was used. Serological diagnosis in pregnant women revealed 22 (9.28%) hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive samples of which 21 were positive for viral DNA by real-time PCR. Among the 22 HBsAg+ women, five (05) transmitted the virus to their children with a vertical transmission rate of 22.73%. A transmission rate of 23.81% (5/21) was found with the PCR method. Analysis of AbHBs levels revealed that 98.31% of the children had an average concentration of 218.07 ± 74.66 IU/L, which is well above the minimum threshold for protection (11 IU/L). This study has confirmed that vertical transmission of HBV is a reality in Burkina Faso and that vaccination at birth would significantly reduce this transmission.


2014 ◽  
Vol 165 (4) ◽  
pp. 773-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven L. Veselsky ◽  
Tanja Y. Walker ◽  
Nancy Fenlon ◽  
Chong-Gee Teo ◽  
Trudy V. Murphy

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 1041-1048
Author(s):  
Solko W. Schalm ◽  
J. Adriaan Mazel ◽  
Gijsbert C. de Gast ◽  
Rudolf A. Heijtink ◽  
Meindert J. Botman ◽  
...  

Beginning in 1982 all pregnant women undergoing prenatal routine blood analysis in three large city hospitals and one large rural area were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Infants of all HBsAg-positive mothers received hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg), 0.5 mL/kg of body weight within two hours of birth and, after randomization, 10 µg of hepatitis B vaccine either at 0, 1, 2, and 11 months of age (schedule A) or at 3, 4, 5, and 11 months of age (schedule B). A second injection of HBIg (1 mL) was given to infants on schedule B at 3 months of age. Blood samples were obtained at 3, 6, 11, 12, 24, and 36 months. In a two-year period, 28,412 pregnant women were tested for HBsAg; screening efficiency varied between 85% and 98%. The overall prevalence of HBsAg was 0.8%, with a marked variation between urban centers (2.2%) and the rural area (0.3%). Vaccinations were received by 180 of 193 infants of HBsAg-positive mothers (90 on schedule A and 90 on schedule B). Concentrations of hepatitis B surface antibody less than 10 IU/L were observed in nine instances in five children from group A and in seven instances in six children from group B. Four hepatitis B viral infections (two HBsAg carriers, two who underwent antihepatitis B core seroconversions) were recorded in group A v one infection (antihepatitis B core seroconversion) in group B. The protective efficacy of the program (screening plus passive immunization and delayed vaccination) was 94%. The estimated cost of preventing one case of hepatitis B infection in neonates was $3,000 (US currency). It is concluded that screening all pregnant women for HBsAg can be introduced effectively at reasonable costs in a country with a low prevalence of HBsAg and a high proportion of home deliveries. Delayed active vaccination starting at 3 months of age may be an effective and, for reasons of high compliance and low cost, attractive alternative to early active vaccination.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huai‐Lung Chang ◽  
Wan‐Hsin Wen ◽  
Chien‐Nan Lee ◽  
Yu‐En Chiu ◽  
Chun‐Jen Liu ◽  
...  

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