Hepatitis B e antigen positive mother hepatitis B e antigen long persistence in her non-infected baby

D Selton1, M Andre, T May

  • 1Department of Neonatology, Maternite Regionale, 10 rue du docteur Heydenreich, 54042 Nancy, France. d.selton@maternite.chu-nancy.fr

Insights

Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) can persist in infants born to carrier mothers up to six months of age. This case study highlights potential origins of this marker in non-infected newborns.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal immunology and virology
  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection dynamics

Background:

  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses risks to newborns from carrier mothers.
  • Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) is a marker of HBV replication and infectivity.

Observation:

  • A case of a neonate born to an HBV carrier mother was monitored.
  • The infant exhibited persistent HBeAg in serum until six months of age.
  • No evidence of HBV infection breakthrough was detected in the infant.

Findings:

  • Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) can be detected in non-infected infants up to six months.
  • The infant tested positive for HBeAg despite no confirmed HBV infection.
  • The source of the persistent HBeAg marker in the infant remains undetermined.

Implications:

  • This finding challenges current understanding of HBeAg persistence in neonates.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind HBeAg presence in non-infected infants.
  • Clinical management of infants born to HBeAg-positive mothers may require re-evaluation.
Abstract

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