Enduring Challenges despite Progress in Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus in Angola

Pathogens

卷:11

Marco Aurélio Pereira Horta¹  Luis Baião Peliganga²  Lia Laura Lewis-Ximenez² 

[1] BSL-3 Facility, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil;

[2] Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil;

关键词: hepatitis B virus;    elimination;    mother-to child transmission;    prophylaxis;    newborn vaccination;    pregnancy;   

DOI  :  10.3390/pathogens11020225

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the highest rates of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection globally, with an incidence of 1.5 million and 0.8 million yearly deaths, which drives synergistic efforts towards its elimination. To assess the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HBV infection, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 1012 pregnant women in Angola to investigate HBV serological and molecular profiles. The prevalence of HBV was 8.7% (n = 88), with hepatitis B core IgM antibody (anti-HBc IgM) positivity identified in 12.8%, hepatitis B “e” antigen (HBeAg) positivity in 30%, and HBV DNA ≥ 200,000 IU/mL in 28.2%. Family tracking studied 44 children, of which 11 (25%) received at least two doses of the hepatitis B vaccine. HBV was detected in 10/44 (22.7%) children, with vaccination reported in one infected child. Further testing identified anti-HBc IgM positivity in 3/10 (30%), HBeAg positivity in 55%, and both seromarkers in 20%. The results revealed the importance of antenatal HBV screening, antiviral prophylaxis for mothers with high viral loads or HBeAg positivity, and timely first-dose hepatitis B vaccines in newborns. Anti-HBc IgM positivity among pregnant women and children highlights prophylactic measures worth considering, including antenatal hepatitis B vaccination and catch-up vaccination to young children.

【 授权许可】

Unknown