Chronic hepatitis B in pregnant women: is hepatitis B surface antigen quantification useful for viral load prediction?

Pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B virus infection at the assessment of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate prescription: Baseline characteristics of a prospective cohort study in Vietnam

Objectives

We aimed to determine epidemiological characteristics and serologic markers among chronically hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected pregnant women during the assessment of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) prescription in Vietnam.

Methods

We consecutively recruited 375 pregnant women with chronic HBV (cHBV) infection at week 25±2 of pregnancy, at which time they were assessed for TDF use as pre-prophylaxis and/or pre-treatment at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in southern Vietnam during December 2019-April 2021. Demographic characteristics, serological biomarkers, and prenatal liver ultrasounds were obtained through interviews and reviews of medical records.

Results

The median age of pregnant women was 29 years (interquartile range: 26-32). More than half of pregnant women (208/375; 55.5%) started TDF for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HBV and/or treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Among the pregnant women initiating TDF, 96.1% (198/206) tested positive for hepatitis B e antigen, and 21.6% (45/208) had quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg) ≤104 IU/mL. A relatively strong correlation between qHBsAg and HBV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) (r = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.76-0.85) was observed in pregnant women starting TDF.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate the high need for TDF prescription for prevention and/or treatment purposes in pregnant women with cHBV infection. Pregnant women with qHBsAg levels ≤104 IU/mL may prioritize HBV DNA testing over qHBsAg to decide on TDF prescription.

A Recent Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Genotypes and Subtypes in Asia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and Aim: Despite introducing the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine, the incidence of the Hepatitis B virus globally is still a major health concern. This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to provide detailed information on the prevalence of HBV genotypes and subtypes in circulation in Asia. Methods: A systematic search for articles describing the prevalence of HBV genotypes and subtypes in Asia was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: Our search returned 207 eligible articles involving 49,279 genotypes and 7457 subtypes representing 28 Asian countries. A meta-analysis was performed on our eligible studies using the Random effect Model. The pooled prevalence of HBV genotypes showed that genotype C (30.9%) (95% CI, 27.5–34.5%; I2 = 97.57%; p < 0.001) was the most common HBV genotype in Asia, followed by genotype B (17.8%) (95% CI, 15.5–20.4%; I2 = 97.26%; p < 0.001) and genotype D (15.4%) (95% CI, 11.8–19.8%). Vietnam had the highest prevalence of genotype B, Lebanon had the highest prevalence of genotypes C, and Jordan had the highest prevalence of genotype D. There was variation in genotypic prevalence with respect to the target genes for HBV genotyping. Reverse dot blot hybridization had the highest estimate of genotypes B and C. HBV subtype C2 (40.0%) (95% CI, 33.3–47.0) is the most prevalent HBV subtype. Conclusion: Evidence from this study reveals that HBV genotypes C and B are the most dominant HBV genotypes in Asia, and HBV subtype C2 is more endemic in Asia.

Immunoglobulin-free strategy to prevent HBV mother-to-child transmission in Cambodia (TA-PROHM): a single-arm, multicentre, phase 4 trial

BACKGROUND

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is based on administration of vaccine and immunoglobulins (HBIg) to newborns at birth and maternal antiviral prophylaxis for those with an HBV-DNA viral load of at 5·3 log₁₀ IU/mL or more. Many low-income and middle-income countries face difficulty in accessing HBIg and HBV-DNA quantification. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an HBIg-free strategy to prevent MTCT of HBV.

METHODS

TA-PROHM was a single-arm, multicentre, phase 4 trial done in five maternity units in Cambodia. Pregnant women who were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), aged 18 years or older were included. Women who were HCV or HIV positive, had creatinine clearance of less than 30 mL/min, severe gravid disease, and planned to give birth outside the study sites were excluded. From Oct 4, 2017, to Jan 9, 2019, HBsAg positive pregnant women who tested positive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) with a rapid diagnostic test were eligible to receive tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. From Jan 9, 2019, women who were HBeAg negative with an alanine aminotransferase concentration of ≥40 IU/L were also eligible to receive tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Women in the tenofovir disoproxil fumarate eligible group received 300 mg of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate orally once a day from the 24th week of gestation until 6 weeks postpartum. The primary outcome was the overall proportion of infants who were HBsAg positive at 6 months of life, confirmed by positive HBV DNA quantification. For the primary outcome, the proportion (95% CI) of infants with HBsAg at 6 months was stratified according to infant's HBIg status, duration of maternal tenofovir disoproxil fumarate treatment (>4 weeks and ≤4 weeks), and study period (before and after the change in therapeutic algorithm) and was measured in a modified intention-to-treat analysis, which excluded infants lost to follow-up or who were withdrawn before 6 months. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02937779.

FINDINGS

From Oct 4, 2017, to Nov 27, 2020, 21 251 pregnant women were screened for HBsAg, of whom 1194 (6%) were enrolled in the study: 338 (28%) were eligible to receive tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. For the tenofovir disoproxil fumarate eligible group, four (1% [95% CI 0·34-3·20]) of 317 infants had HBV infection at 6 months; in the subgroup of 271 children who did not receive HBIg, four (1% [0·40-3·74]) had HBV infection at 6 months. In absence of HBIg, MTCT HBV transmission occurred in none (0% [0-1·61]) of 227 women who received tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for more than 4 weeks before giving birth and three (8% [1·75-22·47]) of 36 women who received tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for less than 4 weeks. In the tenofovir disoproxil fumarate ineligible group, seven (1% [0·40-2·02]) of 712 infants had HBV infection at 6 months; in the subgroup of 567 children who did not receive HBIg, six (1% [0·39-2·30]) had HBV infection at 6 months.

INTERPRETATION

An immunoglobulin-free strategy using an HBeAg rapid diagnosis test and alanine aminotransferase-based algorithm to assess eligibility for tenofovir, is effective at preventing MTCT of HBV when tenofovir was initiated at least 4 weeks before birth.

FUNDING

French Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis and Emerging Infectious diseases.

TRANSLATION

For the French translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Treatment and prevention of viral hepatitis in pregnancy

Viral hepatitis in pregnancy may be caused by many types of viruses that cause systemic infection or target hepatocytes in their pathogenesis. Because viral hepatitis during pregnancy may represent acute or chronic infection or the reactivation of a prior infection, a high clinical suspicion, medical history review, and awareness of risk factors for the acquisition of infection are important management principles. The route of infection varies widely and ranges from fecal-oral transmission for the hepatitis A and E viruses to vertical transmission for hepatitis B, blood-borne transmission for hepatitis C, and sexual transmission for the herpes simplex virus. For this reason, the exposure details about travel, food preferences, drug use, and sexual contacts are important to elicit. Although routine prenatal screening is recommended for chronic viral hepatitis caused by hepatitis B and C, most other causes of viral hepatitis in pregnancy are detected in the setting of compatible signs and symptoms (fatigue, abdominal discomfort, jaundice, scleral icterus) or incidentally noted transaminitis on routine labs. Serologic testing is helpful for diagnosis with molecular testing as indicated to guide the management of hepatitis B and C. Preventive vaccines for hepatitis A and B with established safety of use in pregnancy are recommended for women who are at risk of acquisition. Postexposure prophylaxis for hepatitis A is a single dose of immunoglobulin and vaccination can be used if immunoglobulin G is not available. Antiviral therapy with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is recommended as prophylaxis in pregnant women with active hepatitis B and an elevated viral load (>200,000 IU/mL) during the third trimester to prevent vertical transmission. The neonate exposed to hepatitis B at birth should receive immunoglobulin G and a monovalent birth dose vaccine within 12 hours, followed by completion of the 3-dosage vaccine series. The prevalence of hepatitis C in women of reproductive age has increased in the United States, and the role of antiviral therapy during pregnancy is of great interest. Cesarean delivery is not currently recommended for the sole purpose of reducing vertical transmission risk in pregnant women with viral hepatitis. Breastfeeding is recommended in women with hepatitis A, B, and C. New and promising prevention and treatment options for hepatitis B and C are under investigation. Investigators and regulatory authorities should ensure that these clinical trials for promising antivirals and vaccines are designed to include pregnant and lactating women.

Kinetics of hepatitis B surface antigen in pregnant women with and without tenofovir disoproxil fumarate

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is the preferred treatment to prevent mother-to-infant transmission in highly viremic HBV-infected women. Data on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels in pregnant women are lacking. We aimed to investigate prepartum and postpartum HBsAg kinetics and its correlation with HBV DNA in pregnant women. HBV-infected mothers with HBV DNA ≥7.5 log₁₀  IU/ml were tested for HBsAg and HBV DNA from baseline to 6 months postpartum. Of the 186 pregnant women with comparable baseline HBsAg and HBV DNA, 101 received TDF from the third trimester until 1 month postpartum. At delivery, TDF group had mildly lower HBsAg (4.32 ± 0.47 vs. 4.54 ± 0.35 log₁₀  IU/ml, p = .0004) and markedly lower HBV DNA (4.26 ± 0.97 vs. 8.11 ± 0.70 log₁₀  IU/ml, p < .0001) than the control group. In the TDF group, mean reduction of HBsAg and HBV DNA from baseline to delivery were 0.22 ± 0.38 and 3.96 ± 0.93 log₁₀  IU/ml. HBsAg reduction had a positive correlation (r = .309; p = .0017) with HBV DNA reduction, and was predictive of HBV DNA reduction ≥3 log₁₀  IU/ml (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.50-0.82). At 6 months postpartum, TDF and control group had comparable HBsAg and HBV DNA. In conclusion, HBsAg decreased slightly at delivery in pregnant women receiving TDF. For monitoring the effect of antiviral therapy during pregnancy, HBV DNA is a better marker than HBsAg. Our data provided valuable information regarding monitoring HBV-infected pregnant women using antiviral therapy.

Prevention of hepatitis B mother-to-child transmission in Namibia: A cost-effectiveness analysis

Despite access to a safe and effective vaccine, mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) persists in Africa. This is of concern since perinatally-infected infants are at highest risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, a life-threatening consequence of chronic HBV infection. While tools to prevent HBV MTCT are available, the cost implications of these interventions need consideration prior to implementation. A Markov model was developed to determine the costs and health outcomes of (1) universal HBV birth dose (BD) vaccination, (2) universal BD vaccination and targeted hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG), (3) maternal antiviral prophylaxis using sequential HBV viral load testing added to HBV BD vaccination and HBIG, and (4) maternal antiviral prophylaxis using sequential HBeAg testing combined with HBV BD vaccination and HBIG. Health outcomes were assessed as the number of paediatric infections averted and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted. Primary cost data included consumables, human resources, and hospital facilities. HBV epidemiology, transitions probabilities, disability weights, and the risks of HBV MTCT were extracted from the literature. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated to compare successive more expensive interventions to the previous less expensive one. One-way sensitivity analyses were conducted to test the robustness of the model's outputs. At the Namibian cost/DALY averted threshold of US$3 142, the (1) BD vaccination + targeted HBIG, and (2) maternal antiviral prophylaxis with sequential HBeAg testing interventions were cost-effective. These interventions had ICERs equal to US$1909.03/DALY and US$2598.90/DALY averted, respectively. In terms of effectiveness, the maternal antiviral prophylaxis with sequential HBeAg testing intervention was the intervention of choice. The analysis showed that elimination of HBV MTCT is achievable using maternal antiviral prophylaxis with active and passive immunization. There is an urgent need for low cost diagnostic tests to identify those women who will most benefit from drug therapy to attain this laudable goal.

Viral hepatitis and pregnancy

The management of viral hepatitis in the setting of pregnancy requires special consideration. There are five liver-specific viruses (hepatitis A, B, C, D, E), each with unique epidemiology, tendency to chronicity, risk of liver complications and response to antiviral therapies. In the setting of pregnancy, the liver health of the mother, the influence of pregnancy on the clinical course of the viral infection and the effect of the virus or liver disease on the developing infant must be considered. Although all hepatitis viruses can harm the mother and the child, the greatest risk to maternal health and subsequently the fetus is seen with acute hepatitis A virus or hepatitis E virus infection during pregnancy. By contrast, the primary risks for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis D virus are related to the severity of the underlying liver disease in the mother and the risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) for HBV and HCV. The prevention of MTCT is key to reducing the global burden of chronic viral hepatitis, and prevention strategies must take into consideration local health-care and socioeconomic challenges. This Review presents the epidemiology of acute and chronic viral hepatitis infection in pregnancy, the effect of pregnancy on the course of viral infection and, conversely, the influence of the viral infection on maternal and infant outcomes, including MTCT.

Estimating the proportion of people with chronic hepatitis B virus infection eligible for hepatitis B antiviral treatment worldwide: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In 2016, of the estimated 257 million people living with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection worldwide, only a small proportion was diagnosed and treated. The insufficiency of information on the proportion of people infected with HBV who are eligible for treatment limits the interpretation of global treatment coverage. We aimed to estimate the proportion of people with chronic HBV infection who were eligible for antiviral treatment worldwide, based on the WHO 2015 guidelines.

METHODS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane databases from Jan 1, 2007, to Jan 31, 2018, for studies describing HBsAg-positive people in the population or health-care facilities. We extracted information from published studies using a standardised form to estimate the frequency of cirrhosis, abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HBV DNA exceeding 2000 IU/mL or 20 000 IU/mL, presence of HBeAg, and eligibility for treatment as per WHO and other guidelines as reported in the studies. We pooled proportions through meta-analysis with random effects. The study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020132345.

FINDINGS

Of the 13 497 studies, 162 were eligible and included in our analysis. These studies included 145 789 participants. The pooled estimate of the proportion of cirrhosis was 9% (95% CI 8-10), ranging from 6% (4-8) in community settings to 10% (9-11) in clinic settings. Examining the proportion of participants who had characteristics used to determine eligibility in the WHO guidelines, 1750 (10·1%) of 17 394 had HBV DNA exceeding 20 000 IU/mL, and 20 425 (30·8%) of 66 235 had ALT above the upper limit of normal. 32 studies reported eligibility for treatment according to WHO or any other guidelines, with a pooled estimate of eligibility at 19% (95% CI 18-20), ranging from 12% (6-18) for studies in community settings to 25% (19-30) in clinic settings.

INTERPRETATION

Many studies described people with HBV infection, but few reported information in a way that allowed assessment of eligibility for treatment. Although about one in ten of the 257 million people with HBV infection (26 million) might be in urgent need of treatment because of cirrhosis, a larger proportion (12-25%) is eligible for treatment in accordance with different guidelines. Future studies describing people with HBV infection should report on treatment eligibility, according to broadly agreed definitions.

FUNDING

WHO and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The High Prevalence of Negative Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (Anti-HBs) among Pregnant Women in Bandung, Indonesia: A Community-Based Study

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a disease that creates a high global burden by affecting approximately 3.5% of the total world population. The main transmission of this disease is from mother to child (MTCT). HBV vaccination program was already initiated in Indonesia in 1987. However, after three decades, the HBV infection prevalence stays stagnant. This study aimed to explore the seroprevalence of HBV markers and the attributable risk factors of pregnant women at risk of transmitting HBV to their offspring.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted on pregnant women from primary midwifery and obstetric clinics across Bandung, Indonesia, to assess the HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HBs serological markers. Questionnaire-based interviews were used to obtain the sociodemographic determinants. Logistic regression was applied to assess the association of each determinant factor to positive HBsAg or negative anti-HBs as a dependent variable, which was then reported as odds ratios (OR).

RESULTS

A total of 196 subjects were recruited with 12/196 (6.1%) of them were positive HBsAg. After exclusions of those with positive HBsAg and anti-HBc, 24/175 (13.7%) women were isolated as positive anti-HBs, leaving 151/175 (86.3%) women with negative anti-HBs who were susceptible to HBV infection. Low body mass index (BMI) less than 18.5 kg/m² was a risk factor for positive HBsAg with OR = 5.850 (95% CI 1.466-23.34), p = 0.012. Nevertheless, no significant determinant factor was associated with negative anti-HBs.

CONCLUSION

Most pregnant women in Bandung, Indonesia, are susceptible to HBV infection, as marked by the negative anti-HBs status.

Quantitative HBsAg and Qualitative HBeAg Predicts Intrauterine Placental Infection and Umbilical Blood Cord in Pregnant Women

Objective: To know the correlation between quantitative Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HbsAg) and maternal Hepatitis B Envelope Antigen (HbeAg) with hepatitis B intrauterine transmission via placental infection. Hepatitis B in pregnancy causes a mother to child transmission (MTCT) via transplacental route started with placental infection. HBV DNA viral load and HBeAg are the independent risk factors for MTCT, but it rarely available in developing country.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study in 33 pregnant women with HbsAg positive in 4 referral hospital in East Java, Indonesia. Quantitative HBS Ag and HBeAg) status were determined serologically from a peripheral venous blood sample. Placental Hepatitis B infection was detected by immunohistochemistry of HBsAg from placental tissues. The intrauterine transmission was diagnosed by positive HBsAg in cord blood sampling after deliveries.

Results: Serum quantitative HBsAg level has a good sensitivity and spesificity to predict placental infection (90% and 83%), with a cut off value of 3.14 Log10 IU/mL (AUC 0.87; 95% CI: 0.74-0.99). Quantitative HBsAg level also has a good sensitivity and spesificity to predict HBV transmission in umbilical blood cord (81.8% and 95.5%) with a cut off value of 3.62 log₁₀ IU/ml (AUC: 0.925, 95% CI: 0.813-1; p = 0.000). Placental infection is significantly related with intrauterine transmission with OR 4.6 (95% CI 2.29-9.4; p = 0.002).

Conclusion: The study reveals that maternal serum quantitative HBsAg level can be used as an alternative test to substitute HBeAg or HBV DNA as a marker to predict the placental infection and intrauterine transmission, especially in low-middle income countries.

Accuracy of HBeAg to identify pregnant women at risk of transmitting hepatitis B virus to their neonates: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) involves neonatal immunoprophylaxis, with a birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine and immune globulin, and provision of peripartum antiviral prophylaxis in highly viraemic women. However, access to assays to quantify HBV DNA levels remains inadequate in resource-poor settings. This study was commissioned by WHO and aimed to identify the HBV DNA threshold for MTCT, to assess the sensitivity and specificity of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) testing to identify pregnant women with HBV DNA levels above this threshold, and to predict MTCT of HBV infection on the basis of HBeAg testing.

METHODS

For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, CENTRAL, CNKI, and Wanfang databases for studies of pregnant women with chronic HBV infection without concurrent antiviral therapy, published between Jan 1, 2000, and April 3, 2019. Studies were eligible for inclusion if MTCT in mother-child pairs could be stratified by different levels of maternal HBV DNA during pregnancy, if maternal HBeAg status could be stratified by HBV DNA level, and if the MTCT status of infants could be stratified by maternal HBeAg status during pregnancy. Studies that selected pregnant women on the basis of HBeAg serostatus or HBV DNA levels were excluded. Aggregate data were extracted from eligible studies by use of a pre-piloted form; study authors were contacted to clarify any uncertainties about potential duplication or if crucial information was missing. To pool sensitivities and specificities of maternal HBeAg to identify highly viraemic women and to predict MTCT events, we used the DerSimonian-Laird bivariate random effects model. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42019138227.

FINDINGS

Of 9007 articles identified, 67 articles (comprising 66 studies) met the inclusion criteria. The risk of MTCT despite infant immunoprophylaxis was negligible (0·04%, 95% CI 0·00-0·25) below a maternal HBV DNA level of 5·30 log₁₀ IU/mL (200 000 IU/mL) and increased above this threshold. The pooled sensitivity of HBeAg testing to identify HBV DNA levels of 5·30 log₁₀ IU/mL or greater in pregnant women was 88·2% (83·9-91·5) and pooled specificity was 92·6% (90·0-94·5). The pooled sensitivity of HBeAg testing in predicting MTCT of HBV infection despite infant immunoprophylaxis was 99·5% (95% CI 91·7-100) and pooled specificity was 62·2% (55·2-68·7).

INTERPRETATION

Maternal HBV DNA of 5·30 log₁₀ IU/mL or greater appears to be the optimal threshold for MTCT of HBV infection despite infant immunoprophylaxis. HBeAg is accurate to identify women with HBV DNA levels above this threshold and has high sensitivity to predict cases of immunoprophylaxis failure. In areas where HBV DNA assays are unavailable, HBeAg can be used as an alternative to assess eligibility for antiviral prophylaxis.

FUNDING

World Health Organization.

Hepatitis B - Vertical transmission and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the commonest cause of chronic hepatitis, with an estimated global prevalence of 3.5%, and which leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) during pregnancy is the leading form of transmission in endemic populations, and its interruption is thus crucial as the initial step in the elimination of HBV infection, notwithstanding the availability of potent antiviral medications. The risk of MTCT is dramatically reduced by timely neonatal HBV vaccination and the administration of hepatitis B immunoglobulin after birth in high-risk infants. Maternal HBV DNA quantification during pregnancy allows the assessment of the risk of newborn immunoprophylaxis failure (IF). Maternal antiviral treatment in highly viremic women can reduce the risk of IF. However, the optimal HBV DNA cutoff level for the initiation of antiviral treatment remains to be determined.

Hepatitis B and Pregnancy: Virologic and Immunologic Characteristics

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important human pathogen. Unvaccinated infants infected through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) are at >95% risk of developing serum hepatitis B surface antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Despite complete passive-active HBV immunoprophylaxis, approximately 10% of infants born to mothers who are highly viremic develop CHB, and thus maternal treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogs (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, lamivudine, or telbivudine) is recommended in the third trimester of pregnancy to reduce MTCT risk. Viral rebound usually occurs after stopping treatment and, in the context of maternal immunologic reconstitution postpartum, can also precipitate host immune-mediated hepatic (biochemical) flares. In this article, we review the epidemiology of HBV MTCT, discuss management and potential mechanisms of HBV vertical transmission, and highlight recent studies on virologic and immunologic aspects of hepatitis B in pregnancy and postpartum.

Quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Predicts Hepatitis B Transmission in Infants Born to e Antigen-positive Mothers

GOALS

This study aimed to explore whether quantitative surface antigen [hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)] can be used as a surrogate marker of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA to predict hepatitis B transmission before the first hepatitis vaccine dose in infants born to hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive pregnant women.

BACKGROUND

Currently, HBV transmission persistently occurs worldwide, especially in infants born to e antigen (HBeAg)-positive highly viremic mothers. However, due to high cost, the extensive use of viral load testing to identify these high-risk mothers is limited.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total of 275 HBeAg-positive pregnant women paired with 280 infants were enrolled in this study. Quantitative HBsAg and HBV DNA levels were measured in the third trimester. Spearman rank correlation was used to assess the correlation between HBsAg levels and viral load, and multivariate logistic regression to identify factors related to HBV transmission in infants.

RESULTS

Among 280 infants included, 15 (5.4%) infants were infected with HBV. In this study, we observed that quantitative HBsAg was positively correlated with maternal viral load (r=0.70, P<0.001) and highly predicted HBV transmission in infants born to HBeAg-positive mothers with area under the curve of 0.76 (95% confidence interval, 0.71-0.81). The optimum threshold HBsAg levels above 4.6 log10 IU/mL to predict HBV transmission in infants had a sensitivity of 80.0%, specificity of 67.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

Quantitative HBsAg could be used as a surrogate marker of HBV DNA levels to predict hepatitis B transmission occurring before the injection of first-dose vaccine in infants born to e antigen-positive mothers.

Stability of hepatitis B viral load during pregnancy and implications for antepartum prophylaxis: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: We examined changes in hepatitis B virus (HBV) viral loads (VLs) in pregnancy, their association with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and the associated infant outcomes. METHODS: We prospectively followed 132 mothers positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and their 135 infants from 2011 to 2015 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Outcome measures included association between maternal HBeAg and high (>200,000 IU/mL) or low (≤200,000 IU/mL) HBV VL, changes in HBV VL through pregnancy, infant HBsAg status, and infant completion of the HBV vaccination series. RESULTS: Of the 91 participants with an available HBV VL, 13 (14.3%) had an HBV VL of more than 200,000 IU/mL. Of 59 participants with paired HBeAg and HBV VL in pregnancy, 6 had an HBV VL of more than 200,000 IU/mL; of interest, 2 of the 6 (33.3%) were HBeAg-negative. Thirty-eight participants had HBV VL results at both mid-trimester and delivery. For these 38 participants, Wilcoxon signed-ranks test for paired data found that an HBV VL remained stable ( p = .58). We observed no perinatal transmissions. However, 20.7% of infants did not have a documented complete HBV vaccination series, 20.0% did not have post-vaccination HBsAg testing completed, and 18% did not have anti-HBs titres measured by age 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that HBeAg and HBV VL are not reliably predictive of each other. This supports the improved predictive value of VL measurement in pregnancy to risk stratify pregnant patients to offer antiviral treatment when indicated and further minimize the risk of perinatal transmission.

Usefulness of a serial algorithm of HBsAg and HBeAg rapid diagnosis tests to detect pregnant women at risk of HBV mother-to-child transmission in Cambodia, the ANRS 12328 pilot study

BACKGROUND

In Cambodia, access to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screening is low for pregnant women and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) DNA quantification is poorly accessible.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the performance of a serial algorithm using two HBV rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), in which samples positive for HBsAg were further tested for HBeAg as a surrogate marker for HBV DNA quantification.

STUDY DESIGN

In 2015, we prospectively collected plasma samples from 250 pregnant women consulting for antenatal care in one hospital in Phnom Penh including 128 with a known positive HBsAg status. All specimens were tested with the SD BIOLINE HBsAg RDT and HBsAg ELISA assay. In ELISA-positive samples, HBeAg status was determined using the SD BIOLINE HBeAg RDT and HBV DNA quantification was assessed.

RESULTS

Sensitivity and specificity of HBsAg RDT were 99.2% (97.7-99.9) and 100% (97.0-100), respectively. Among the 128 ELISA-positive samples, 29 (23%) tested HBeAg positive and 34 (26.5%) had HBV DNA > 5.3 Log₁₀ IU/mL. Sensitivity and specificity of HBeAg RDT in identifying viremic samples were 76.5% (62.2.0-90.7) and 96.8% (93.3-100) for HBV DNA > 5.3 Log₁₀ IU/mL and 89.3% (77.8-100) and 96.0% (92.2-99.8) for HBV DNA > 7.3 Log₁₀IU/mL. Among the 99 negative HBeAg RDT women, 8 had HBV DNA > 5.3 Log10 IU/mL and 7 of them harbored BCP/PC HBV mutants.

CONCLUSIONS

A combination of HBsAg and HBeAg RDTs could be a low-cost strategy to identify HBV-infected pregnant women at risk of perinatal transmission in a country were HBV DNA quantification is not routinely available.

Different interventional criteria for chronic hepatitis B pregnant women with HBeAg(+) or HBeAg(-): Epidemiological data from Shaanxi, China

The seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and its impact on pregnancy outcomes of women from Shaanxi Province (China) was assessed. Risk factors for mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) were evaluated based on HBV-related seroprevalence data.Viral markers and biochemical parameters were assessed in HBsAg-positive mothers and their infants out of 13,451 cases recruited. A pretested and structured questionnaire was used to test the general HBV knowledge. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were done to reveal possible risk factors for MTCT.The overall prevalence of HBsAg in pregnant women was 7.07% (951/13,451), and a rate as high as 9.40% was observed. Among the HBsAg-positive pregnant women, 30.49% (290/951) were HBeAg-positive, 22.08% (210/951) had HBV DNA levels >10 IU/mL and only 16.19% with a high risk of MTCT (34/210) had received antiviral treatment. The overall MTCT rate was 5.21%. Noteworthy, the risk ratio and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of MTCT in HBeAg-negative mothers with HBV DNA levels >2 × 10 IU/mL and HBsAg >10 IU/mL was 26.062 (2.633-258.024), which was significantly higher than that of HBeAg-positive mothers with HBV DNA level >10 IU/mL. Moreover, the awareness and knowledge about HBV transmission, risk factors, and intervention for MTCT were generally lacking among HBsAg-positive mothers.As a higher HBsAg seroprevalence and a higher MTCT rate among HBeAg-negative mothers with lower HBV DNA level was observed, our study emphasizes different interventional criteria for HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative mothers. Extensive health education, routine screening, and immunization against HBV during pregnancy are highly warranted to minimize the possibility of perinatal transmission.

Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B: Examining viral cut-offs, maternal HBsAg serology and infant testing

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Antipartum antiviral therapy in the setting of high viral load is recommended to prevent mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B although recommended viral load cut-offs vary. Quantitative HBsAg has been proposed as an alternative screening strategy to identify high viral load in this setting. Guidelines suggest testing all infants for vaccine response and infection. We set out to re-examine viral load cut-offs; the predictive value of quantitative HBsAg and the need for follow-up infant testing in our cohort.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of 469 HBsAg positive mother-baby pairs from 2 tertiary hospitals in Sydney was performed. Antiviral therapy (lamivudine or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) was offered to women with viral load ≥6 log₁₀  IU/mL (high) from 32 weeks gestation. Transmission and vaccine response was analysed according to viral load. The utility of quantitative HBsAg in identifying high viral load was examined.

RESULTS

Mother-to-child transmission only occurred in setting of high viral load, in 0.85% (1/117) of those who received antiviral therapy and in 8.66% (2/23) of those who chose not to. Quantitative HBsAg did not accurately identify high-risk mothers HBV DNA ≥6 log₁₀  IU/mL. Successful infant vaccine response was 98.7% overall, and 99.4% when viral load was <6 log₁₀  IU/mL.

CONCLUSION

Antiviral therapy initiated at 32 weeks when maternal viral load is ≥6 log₁₀  IU/mL almost completely abrogates transmission. Quantitative HBsAg does not reliably predict high viral load. When maternal viral load is <6 log₁₀  IU/mL, high vaccine efficacy and zero transmission suggests testing infants is of little value.

Poor Sensitivity of Commercial Rapid Diagnostic Tests for Hepatitis B e Antigen in Senegal, West Africa

Limited access to nucleic acid tests for hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA is a significant barrier to the effective management of chronic HBV infection in resource-poor countries. Alternatively, HBV e antigen (HBeAg) may accurately indicate high viral replication. We assessed the diagnostic performance of three commercially available rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for HBeAg (SD Bioline, Insight and OneStep) against a quantitative chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA, Architect). Using stored sera from adults with chronic HBV infection, we tested RDTs in three groups in Senegal (48 HBeAg-positive, 196 HBeAg-negative, and 117 cases with high HBV DNA (≥ 10⁶ IU/mL)) and one group in France (17 HBeAg-positive East Asians). In Senegal, the sensitivity and specificity for HBeAg detection were 29.8% and 100% for SD Bioline, 31.1% and 100% for Insight, and 42.5% and 98.4% for OneStep, respectively. The lower limits of detection of these RDTs were very high (> 2.5 log10 Paul Ehrlich Institut units/mL). Their low sensitivity was also confirmed in HBeAg-positive Asian samples (35.3-52.9%). The prevalence of HBeAg in highly viremic (≥ 10⁶ IU/mL) Senegalese patients was low: 58.1% using CLIA and 24.5-37.5% using RDTs. Hepatitis B e antigen prevalence was similarly low in a subgroup of 28 Senegalese women of childbearing age with a high viral load (≥ 10⁶ IU/mL). Approximately, half of highly viremic adults do not carry HBeAg in Africa, and HBeAg RDTs had remarkably poor analytical and diagnostic sensitivity. This implies that HBeAg-based antenatal screening, particularly if using the currently available HBeAg RDTs, may overlook most pregnant women at high risk of mother-to-child transmission in Africa.

Hepatitis B Virus-Hepatitis D Virus mother-to-child co-transmission: A retrospective study in a developed country

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) DNA during chronic infection can reach levels at which mother-to-child (MTC) transmission frequently occurs despite passive-active immunization of newborns. Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) RNA can reach high levels, we assessed HBV/HDV MTC co-transmission.

METHODS

Monocentric retrospective study (registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02044055)), after informed consent in HBV/HDV co-infected women pregnant between 01/01/2004 and 01/01/2015 in Paris, France. The children were tested when 24 months of age or older.

RESULTS

Twenty-two (3%) of 742 HBV infected women, HDV co-infected, gave birth to 54 children during the study period. HBV DNA was above 5 Log₁₀ I.U/mL in 10 pregnancies previous any treatment, with HDV RNA of less than 2.3 Log₁₀ I.U/mL. HDV RNA was above 5 Log₁₀ I.U/mL in eight pregnancies previous any treatment, with HBV DNA of less than 1.5 Log₁₀ I.U/mL. Inverse patterns of HBV DNA and HDV RNA were observed in 17 of 35 (49%) pregnancies: 13 (76%) received no HBV treatment; four (24%) were treated. HBV DNA was under 5 Log₁₀ I.U/mL in 46 of the 50 assessed women (92%) at birth. Of the 36 assessed children, given passive-active immunization, 24 (66%) were protected, 10 (28%) were neither infected nor protected, one was chronically HBV infected, and one had a past HBV infection. HDV Ab was negative in the 36 children.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that HBV/HDV MTC co-transmission is exceptional. Studies are needed, mainly in developing countries.

Epidemiology of Hepatitis B and C in Republic of Indonesia

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections pose serious problems in terms of public health and clinical intervention in a country with approximately 250 million people, who live in more than 17,000 islands. Efforts to combat HBV and HCV have been made through the implementation of universal infant hepatitis B immunization, blood screening, and other health promotion actions, and building epidemiological data to develop intervention strategies. A nationwide study in 2013 revealed hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence of 7.1%, which indicates that Indonesia has moved from high to moderate endemicity of hepatitis B, leaving the prevalence of 9.4% in 2007. The occurrences of new hepatitis B cases still continue in early childhood period, which may root from low coverage of birth-dose hepatitis B immunization in remote islands, and the potential mother-to-child transmission of HBV from HBsAg-positive pregnant mothers. Other problems still exist including the high HBV infection rates among young adults in remote islands, the presence of occult hepatitis B, as well as the substantial prevalence of HCV infection in general population, who do not have access to diagnosis and treatment. Effective preventive and control strategies are being developed tailored to the local capacity, infrastructures, socioeconomics, and culture, as well as geographical aspects of the country.

How to cite this article: Muljono DH. Epidemiology of Hepatitis B and C in Republic of Indonesia. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2017;7(1):55-59.

Epidemiology of Hepatitis B and C in Republic of Indonesia

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections pose serious problems in terms of public health and clinical intervention in a country with approximately 250 million people, who live in more than 17,000 islands. Efforts to combat HBV and HCV have been made through the implementation of universal infant hepatitis B immunization, blood screening, and other health promotion actions, and building epidemiological data to develop intervention strategies. A nationwide study in 2013 revealed hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence of 7.1%, which indicates that Indonesia has moved from high to moderate endemicity of hepatitis B, leaving the prevalence of 9.4% in 2007. The occurrences of new hepatitis B cases still continue in early childhood period, which may root from low coverage of birth-dose hepatitis B immunization in remote islands, and the potential mother-to-child transmission of HBV from HBsAg-positive pregnant mothers. Other problems still exist including the high HBV infection rates among young adults in remote islands, the presence of occult hepatitis B, as well as the substantial prevalence of HCV infection in general population, who do not have access to diagnosis and treatment. Effective preventive and control strategies are being developed tailored to the local capacity, infrastructures, socioeconomics, and culture, as well as geographical aspects of the country.

How to cite this article:

Muljono DH. Epidemiology of Hepatitis B and C in Republic of Indonesia. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2017;7(1):55-59.

Hepatitis B virus infection in children of HBV-related chronic liver disease patients: a study of intra-familial HBV transmission

BACKGROUND

HBV-infected patients are potential sources of intra-familial transmission. We studied HBV transmission and molecular characteristics within families of HBV-related chronic liver disease (CLD) patients.

METHODS

Family members [index cases (ICs), spouses, and 1-18-year-old children] of HBV-related CLD patients were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HBs. HBsAg-positive subjects were tested for HBeAg/anti-HBe. Anti-HBc-positive children together with their family members were further investigated for HBV DNA. Sequences of positive isolates were analyzed over surface, precore (PC) and basal core promoter (BCP) regions.

RESULTS

Among 94 children of 46 ICs, the prevalence of HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HBs was 10 (10.6 %), 19 (20.2 %), and 46 (48.9 %), respectively. Thirty-eight (40.4 %) children were seronegative, indicating susceptibility to HBV infection. HBV DNA was identified in all ICs, 4 spouses, and 16 children. Having both parents with HBsAg positive and at least two HBV carriers in the households were significant risk factors of intra-familial transmission. HBV genotype/subtype distributions were comparable between children and ICs/spouses, with predominance of genotype B. The majority of HBV DNA sequences found in children were identical to their corresponding ICs-particularly mothers-including mutation patterns in the surface, PC, and BCP regions. Recognized mutations associated with HBsAg detection and/or vaccination failure, T140I, T143S/M, G145R, and Y161F, were identified in 20 subjects; while mutations linked to HBeAg-defective variants, PC G1896A and BCP A1762T/G1764A, were found in 7 and 11 subjects, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Children of HBV-related CLD patients were at increased risk of HBV infection through multi-modal transmission routes despite negative parental HBsAg and HBeAg status.