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Vertical transmission of the hepatitis B surface antigen in Thailand
Insights
Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) positive mothers readily transmit the hepatitis B virus (HBV) to their infants and children. Infants born to HBeAg-positive mothers showed higher rates of HBV infection and carriage.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant global health concern.
- Vertical transmission from infected mothers to infants is a major route of HBV spread.
- Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) is a marker of HBV replication and infectivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the rate and factors influencing vertical transmission of HBV.
- To compare transmission rates between mothers positive and negative for HBeAg.
- To assess the correlation between HBeAg presence and HBV DNA titers in mothers and offspring.
Main Methods:
- Study included 42 mother-infant pairs, 27 siblings, and 34 fathers.
- Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and e-antigen (HBeAg) status were determined.
- Infants were monitored for HBsAg carriage at 3-6 months of age.
Main Results:
- 30.9% of infants born to HBsAg carrier mothers became HBsAg carriers.
- Vertical transmission rates were 76.5% for infants and 88.9% for siblings from HBeAg-positive mothers.
- No transmission observed in families of HBeAg-negative mothers.
- High correlation between HBeAg presence, higher HBsAg titers, and vertical transmission.
Conclusions:
- HBeAg-positive status in HBsAg carrier mothers significantly increases the risk of vertical HBV transmission.
- HBeAg positivity in offspring correlates with maternal HBeAg status and higher viral loads.
- Targeted interventions for HBeAg-positive mothers are crucial to prevent HBV transmission.
Abstract:
The vertical transmission of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAG) from HBsAg carrier mothers to their infants and children were studied in 42 mother-infant pairs, 27 siblings aged under 5 years and 34 fathers of these families. Thirteen out of 42 (30.9%) infants born from these mothers became HBsAg carriers at 3 to 6 months of age. Vertical transmission to their infants (76.5%) and other siblings (88.9%) occurred only in those mothers with e-antigen (HBeAg) positive but none in HBsAg carrier mothers without HBeAg. Most of the HBsAg carrier babies (70.5%) and their siblings (77.7%) born from the carrier mothers with HBeAg positive also had HBeAg in their sera. Good correlation of the presence of HBeAg and higher titer of HBsAg was found both in HBsAg carrier mothers and in their off-springs. This study clearly shows that HBsAg carrier Thai mothers with HBeAg transmitted hepatitis B virus vertically to their infants and children more readily than do the HBsAg carrier mothers without HBeAg.