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Isolation of Neonatal Extrahepatic Cholangiocytes
Published on: June 5, 2014
Neonatal gastric aspirates as a predictor of perinatal hepatitis B virus infections
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Insights
The oral route plays a major role in perinatal hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission. Newborn gastric aspirate HBsAg status is a key predictor, alongside maternal HBeAg, for HBV vertical transmission.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) poses a significant global health challenge.
- Perinatal transmission is a primary route for HBV infection, leading to chronic disease.
- Understanding transmission routes is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the routes and predictors of perinatal hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission.
- To identify factors influencing HBV acquisition in newborns from carrier mothers.
Main Methods:
- Prospective follow-up study of 1762 pregnant women, with 147 identified as HBsAg carriers.
- Hepatitis B markers determined using enzyme immunoassay.
- HBsAg presence analyzed in newborns' gastric aspirates, blood, and maternal milk, correlated with delivery route and labor duration.
Main Results:
- HBsAg in newborn gastric aspirates strongly predicted infant HBsAg acquisition.
- No correlation found between infant antigenemia and labor duration.
- Cesarean section did not reduce the rate of vertical HBV transmission.
Conclusions:
- Provides direct evidence for the significant role of the oral route in perinatal HBV transmission.
- Newborn gastric aspirate HBsAg status is a critical determinant for vertical HBV transmission, in addition to maternal HBeAg.
Objective:
To elucidate possible routes and predictors of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Method:
This was a prospective follow-up study. One hundred and forty-seven out of 1762 pregnant women who were screened in the antenatal clinic of a university teaching hospital were HBsAg carriers. Enzyme immunoassay was used for determination of hepatitis B markers. Occurrence of HBsAg in newborns' gastric aspirates, newborns' and infants' blood, and maternal milk samples were determined. Their relationship with delivery routes and duration of the first stage of labor were analyzed by chi square test.
Results:
The presence of HBsAg in newborns' gastric aspirates was strongly associated with the acquisition of HBsAg by the babies. There was no correlation between the rate of infant antigenemia and the duration of the first stage of labor, nor did cesarean section decrease the rate of vertical transmission of HBV.
Conclusions:
This is the first report to provide direct evidence for the major role of the oral route in vertical transmission of HBV during delivery. In addition to maternal serum HBeAg, HBsAg status in newborn's gastric aspirates is another important determinant for vertical transmission of HBV.
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