Vaccination coverage against hepatitis B and prevalence of HBsAg: a cross-sectional study involving 592 persons attending public screening in Abidjan

Viral and bacterial factors of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the tenth leading cause of death worldwide. Mother-to-child transmission of HBV occurring mainly at delivery remains one of the most common routes of infection in developing countries. One of the main challenges concerning HBV in Africa is to implement a prevention policy aiming at interrupting the cycle of pseudo-vertical transmission of this infection. The aim of this study was to assess the implication of certain bacterial and viral factors in mother-to-child transmission of HBV. This prospective study was conducted on 165 pregnant women carriers of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and their 169 newborns who attended care at the Gynecology Department of the University Hospital of Cocody. Serological, molecular, and bacteriological analyses were performed on blood samples and vaginal secretions. Mean viral load (VL) was 4.5 ± 1.3 log₁₀  IU/ml, while mean HBsAg titres were 3.5 ± 0.9 log₁₀  IU/ml. HBV DNA was found in vaginal secretions in 13.3% of mothers and in the blood of 10.3% of the newborns. Six bacterial species were identified in the vaginal discharge of pregnant women during labour before delivery. Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis were the most frequent species found in 23.0% and 13.9% of cases. Mothers positive for vaginal HBV DNA displayed higher plasma HBV DNA loads than negative mothers (6.2 ± 1.6 log₁₀  IU/ml vs. 4.3 ± 1.0 log₁₀  IU/ml, p < .0001). In conclusion, our study showed that presence of HBV DNA in vaginal secretions and the presence of S. aureus could play a role in mother-to-child transmission of HBV. HBV DNA detection in vaginal discharge represents a promising biomarker to identify newborns at risk of perinatal persistent infection.

[A plea for introduction of hepatitis B vaccination at birth in Côte d'Ivoire]

The Côte d'Ivoire National Immunization Technical Advisory Group 2015 work plan included elaboration of an opinion on inclusion of hepatitis B vaccination at birth in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Côte d'Ivoire. A task force was set up to conduct this assessment according to a systematized method. The task force analysed scientific articles on the burden of hepatitis B in Côte d'Ivoire, the burden of mother-child transmission, the impact of hepatitis B vaccination at birth in countries which have adopted this strategy, the efficacy and safety of hepatitis B vaccine in newborns, the cost-effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination at birth, and the best strategy to introduce hepatitis B vaccination at birth in the EPI. The National Immunization Technical Advisory Group of Côte d'Ivoire finally recommended introduction of a dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth in the context of the Expanded Program on Immunization with maintenance of three doses of pentavalent vaccine (DPT-HepB-Hib) at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age.

ABO/Rh Blood Groups and Risk of HIV Infection and Hepatitis B Among Blood Donors of Abidjan, Côte D'ivoire

Hepatitis B and HIV infection are two viral infections that represent real global public health problems. In order to improve their management, some hypotheses suggest that genetic predispositions like ABO and Rh blood groups would influence the occurrence of these diseases.

The aim of the present study was to examine the association between ABO and Rhesus blood groups and the susceptibility to HIV infection and hepatitis B.

We conducted a cross-sectional and analytical study in a population of voluntary blood donors in the Blood Transfusion Center of Abidjan. All blood donors who donated blood between January and June 2014 were tested for HBs antigen and anti-HIV antibodies (ELISA tests) and were ABO typed.

The total number of examined blood donors during this period was 45,538, of which 0.32% and 8.07% were respectively infected with HIV and hepatitis B virus. O-group donors were more infected than non-O donors.

Our study is an outline concerning the search for a link between ABO and Rh blood groups and hepatitis B and HIV infection. Further studies should be conducted to confirm the interaction between these two infections and contribute to the search for new therapeutic approaches.

[Hepatitis B: cross-sectional study of knowledge and immunization among students at University of Cocody, Ivory Coast]

BACKGROUND

To evaluate knowledge about hepatitis B and vaccination coverage among students at Cocody's University, Ivory Coast.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted during the academic year 2005-2006 (2557 students). Parameters were collected by interview using a survey chart. Factors influencing knowledge and vaccination against hepatitis B were analyzed by logistic regression.

RESULTS

The majority of students (n=1174, 69.4% [95% CI 68-71]) knew about hepatitis B. Only 17.5% and 26.1% of students respectively were aware of sexual and blood transmission. None of the students were aware of maternal-fetal transmission. Factors associated with knowledge of hepatitis B were enrollment in health sciences (Odds Ratio=24.19 [95% CI 8.65-76.63]) and having a scholarship (Odds Ratio=2.34 [95% CI 1.54-3.56]). Vaccination coverage against hepatitis B was low (Odds Ratio=3.7% [95% CI 3-4]). Factors associated with vaccination were: knowledge of hepatitis B (Odds Ratio=6.83 [95% CI 4.57-10.27]), enrollment in health sciences (Odds Ratio=3.59 [95% CI 2.60-4.96]), marriage (Odds Ratio=2.04 [95% CI 1.13-3.64]) and having a scholarship (Odds Ratio=1.60 [95% CI 1.09-2.35]).

CONCLUSION

Knowledge and vaccination coverage against hepatitis B among students at Cocody's University is low. Students should be given information about hepatitis B and access to free vaccination. Students enrolled in health sciences should be vaccinated before admission because of specific risks of contamination, for themselves and for their patients.