Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Zika Virus Infectious Cell Culture System and the In Vitro Prophylactic Effect of Interferons
Published on: August 23, 2016
Occult hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant woman and its clinical implication
Chang-Ii Kwon1, Seong Gyu Hwang, Seung Ju Shin
1Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Bundang CHA Hospital, Pochon CHA University, Seongnam, Korea.
Background/Aims:
The objective of this study was to document the prevalence rate of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) in healthy pregnant woman and the possibility of transmission to the foetus.
Methods:
This study was performed prospectively with 202 healthy pregnant women. HBV-DNA testing was performed using two specific quantitative tests with two independent sets of sera and cord blood. DNA sequencing analysis was carried out to confirm the specificity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product of HBV-DNA testing.
Results:
Eight of 202 (4%) individuals with the TaqMan PCR assay and 23 of 202 (11.4%) with the COBAS Amplicor HBV Monitor test were HBV-DNA positive. Six (3%) individuals were positive with both methods. Sequencing and genotyping analysis of HBV polymerase gene with sera of the 75th subject resulted in genotype C. HBV-DNA testing with four cord blood samples showed that all were HBV-DNA negative.
Conclusion:
Occult HBV infection shows a difference in prevalence rate depending on the test method but the existence has been confirmed by sequencing analysis. Our results also suggest that vertical transmission through the cord blood is not so high as to be clinical problems and warrants further investigation.
Related Concept Videos
Hepatitis
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction
Cytomegalovirus Disease
Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
Transcytosis of IgG
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
