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Occult hepatitis B virus infection in immunized children born to carrier mothers

Koji Yokoyama1,2, Hideki Kumagai1, Masaharu Takahashi2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan.

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|June 29, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) prevalence in immunoprophylaxis-treated children in Japan is low (1.3%). Close monitoring is crucial as OBI can progress to overt infection, even after treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) transmission from mothers to children (MTCT) despite immunoprophylaxis is poorly understood in Japan.
  • This study aimed to determine OBI prevalence in Japanese children born to HBV carrier mothers and identify associated genomic mutations.

Observation:

  • 158 children receiving passive-active immunoprophylaxis were analyzed for HBV markers and DNA.
  • HBV genomes were sequenced to identify mutations.
  • Three children experienced HBV MTCT: two with OBI (1.3%) and one with resolved HBV infection (RBI) (0.6%).

Findings:

  • The HBV genomes in OBI cases were wild-type and identical to maternal strains.
  • One child with OBI developed overt HBV infection after repeated hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) treatment, exhibiting an S gene G145R mutation potentially induced by HBIG.
  • The child with RBI remained persistently positive for antibody to HBV core antigen.

Implications:

  • A low prevalence of OBI was found in children receiving immunoprophylaxis in Japan.
  • The progression of OBI to overt infection highlights the need for long-term monitoring in infants.
  • Genomic analysis may reveal mutations influencing OBI pathogenesis and treatment response.
Abstract

Keywords:
hepatitis B immunoglobulinhepatitis B vaccinehepatitis B virusmother-to-child transmissionoccult HBV infection

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