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Perinatal hepatitis B virus infection caused by antihepatitis Be positive maternal mononuclear cells
H Shimizu1, T Mitsuda, S Fujita
1Department of Paediatrics, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Japan.
Insights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in maternal immune cells, not plasma, indicates perinatal infection risk. Early intervention prevents HBV transmission to newborns.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Hepatology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) poses a significant risk for mother-to-child transmission.
- Identifying carriers with high infectivity is crucial for prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of maternal peripheral mononuclear cells in perinatal hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
- To determine the correlation between HBV DNA presence in maternal cells and infant outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Examined HBV DNA in plasma and peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 28 carrier mothers using sensitive polymerase chain reaction/Southern hybridization.
- Monitored infants for HBV infection and clinical hepatitis development post-birth.
Main Results:
- HBV DNA was detected in PBMCs of 3 mothers, but not in their plasma.
- Two infants born to mothers with HBV DNA-positive PBMCs developed hepatitis.
- Prophylactic treatment with hepatitis B immunoglobulin and HBV vaccine prevented infection in 2 infants.
Conclusions:
- Latent HBV infection within maternal PBMCs is a significant factor in perinatal HBV transmission.
- Detecting HBV DNA in maternal PBMCs can identify high-risk pregnancies.
- Effective prevention strategies are vital for newborns of carrier mothers.
Abstract:
To investigate the infectivity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) from mothers to their newborn offspring, HBV-DNA in plasma and peripheral mononuclear cells from 28 antihepatitis Be positive, hepatitis B surface antigen positive carrier mothers was examined by a highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction/Southern hybridisation technique. HBV specific DNA was detected in three maternal mononuclear cell samples, but was absent in plasma. Two of four infants born to the three mothers with HBV-DNA positive mononuclear cells developed acute or fulminant hepatitis within three months after birth. Two infants were effectively prevented from infection with HBV by combined hepatitis B immunoglobulin/HBV vaccine administration. The 25 infants born to the HBV-DNA negative mothers were free of HBV infection within the next seven months to 3.5 years. These results suggest that latent infection with HBV in maternal mononuclear cells is responsible for perinatal HBV infection.