Changes in the anti-HBc profile of infants born to HBV infected mothers from Iran

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Pediatrics
• Hepatology

Background:

• Infants born to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive mothers are at high risk of perinatal hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission.
• Passive-active immunization at birth is crucial for preventing HBV infection in these infants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the persistence of maternal antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) in infants who received hepatitis B immunization at birth.
• To determine the duration of maternal anti-HBc presence and its implications for infant immunity assessment.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 328 infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers, immunized at birth, were monitored.
• Infants were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HBs at 12-15 months, with follow-up testing annually.
• Infants with anti-HBc were categorized into groups based on anti-HBs status to track antibody disappearance.

Main Results:

• Four percent (13/328) of infants tested positive for HBsAg.
• Maternal anti-HBc antibodies were found to persist in some infants for up to 36 months (3 years).
• Anti-HBc antibodies disappeared by 24 months in most infants, but persisted longer in a subset.

Conclusions:

• Maternal anti-HBc can persist for an extended period, potentially up to three years, in infants immunized at birth.
• The persistence of maternal anti-HBc may complicate the interpretation of infant immune status against hepatitis B.
• Further monitoring is necessary to confirm seroconversion and rule out persistent infection in infants with prolonged maternal antibody presence.