Telbivudine treatment of hepatitis B virus-infected pregnant women at different gestational stages for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission: Outcomes of telbivudine treatment during pregnancy

Mother-to-Child Transmission of HBV Infection by Preventive Interventions in Southern Vietnam's Hospitals

INTRODUCTION

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) for pregnant women with hepatitis B virus (HBV) presenting with HBV DNA levels of 106 copies/mL or more to hinder mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Moreover, it is suggested that neonates of HBV-infected mothers receive an HBV vaccine birth dose within 24 hours of birth to mitigate transmission risk.

METHODOLOGY

The study included 661 HBV-infected pregnant women and 316 infants from 3 hospitals in Southern Vietnam between October 2019 and November 2020. Infants were classified on the basis of their mothers' TDF prophylaxis into I-TDF (+) group (107 infants) whose mothers received TDF; I-TDF (-) group (56 infants) whose mothers missed TDF; and I-NTDF group (153 infants) whose mothers did not necessitate TDF. Almost all infants received an HBV vaccine birth dose with HBIG administered on the basis of parents' financial standing.

RESULTS

MTCT was found in 2.2% of the cases. The respective MTCT rates for I-TDF (+), I-TDF (-), and I-NTDF groups were 2.8%, 5.4%, and 0.7%. Immune response rates to the HBV vaccination in the total cohort, I-TDF (+), I-TDF (-), and I-NTDF groups, were 88.6%, 87.9%, 85.7%, and 90.2%, respectively. Vaccinated infants exhibited a statistically lower risk of HBV infection postbirth (aRR = 0.1; 95% confidence interval, 0.0-0.6; P = .01).

CONCLUSION

TDF can equate the MTCT risk in pregnant women with HBV DNA levels of 106 copies/mL or more to those with lower levels. Early administration of the HBV vaccine postbirth also effectively curtails MTCT. Thus, expanding TDF prophylaxis and vaccine coverage is pivotal to impede MTCT.

Impact of timing on protection of combined immunoprophylaxis in preventing mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus: a retrospective study

Objective: To evaluate the impact of timing combined immunoprophylaxis on mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in pregnant women living with hepatitis B. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was included HBsAg-positive pregnant women who delivered full-term at Tianjin Third Central Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021. The objective of this study is to determine whether early administration of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and the first dose of hepatitis B vaccination after birth can further improve protection. Result: A total of 694 pregnant women living with hepatitis B were included; 93 infants from these mothers were lost to follow-up [including moving (n = 21), emigrating (n = 26), changing contact information (n = 27), and other reasons (n = 19)], leaving 601 infants for analysis. The incidence in babies born to mothers with hepatitis B was 1.50% (9/601). Based on the different timing of combined immunoprophylaxis administration after birth, 601 infants were divided into two groups (within 2 h and within 2-12 h). The incidence in babies born to mothers with hepatitis B were 0.32% (1/308) and 2.73% (8/293) for infants who received combined immunoprophylaxis within 2 h and between 2 and 12 h of birth, respectively (p = 0.037). The infection incidence of infants born to HBeAg-positive mothers and HBeAg-positive mothers who did not receive antiviral treatment during pregnancy was lower in the 2-h group compared to the 2-12 h group (0.72% vs. 5.84%, p = 0.04 and 1.20% vs. 9.46%, p = 0.047). Conclusion: Using combined immunoprophylaxis as soon as possible (within two hours of birth) may protect against MTCT of HBV more.

Breast-Feeding is Not a Risk Factor of Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus

Purpose

This study aims at researching the content of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the breast milk of the mothers carrying HBV and investigating the effects of different feeding methods on mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HBV.

Methods

All infants were voluntarily chosen by their mothers and divided into breast-feeding group and formula-feeding group, which were divided into three subgroups, respectively: HBV-DNA negative (HBV-) group, low viral load (LVL) group and high viral load (HVL) group.

Results

HBV load in colostrum and mature milk were both significantly lower than in serum (P < 0.001). The positive rate of HBV-DNA in colostrum was positively correlated with HBV load in serum, significantly higher than that of the HBV-Group in colostrum in the LVL Group (P < 0.05), and the HVL Group was significantly higher than the LVL Group (P < 0.001). The analysis of risk factors of HBV infection in infants showed that breast-feeding and HBsAg positive in colostrum did not increase the risks of HBV infection of infants (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Breast-feeding is safe for infants with HBV-infected mothers who receive active immunization combined with passive immunization. As well, breast-feeding will neither increase the risks of HBV infection for infants nor weaken their immunity to HBV. However, breast-feeding shall be cautiously applied to pregnant women with high viral load.

Effect of different antiviral regimens on the viral loads in pregnant women with hepatitis B virus infection and their impact on mother-to-child transmission

AIM

This study aimed to explore the benefits of different antiviral regimens in pregnant women with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in an attempt to provide scientific reference for clinically relevant interventions.

METHODS

The study cohort comprised 64 pregnant women with HBV infection who presented to our hospital from May 2018 to July 2020. The women were grouped according to the treatment administered: a control group consisting of 32 pregnant women who received routine intervention and an observation group consisting of 32 pregnant women who received routine intervention plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) tablets. The two groups were compared in terms of liver function; HBV load (HBV DNA); neonatal characteristics (hepatitis B surface antigen and HBV DNA positivity); levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and IL-6; neonatal growth and development; Apgar scores; incidence of adverse events; and incidence of maternal adverse effects during treatment.

RESULTS

The observation group had lower levels of alanine aminotransferase, glutamic acid aminotransferase, IL-4, IL-6, and HBV DNA and higher levels of IL-2 than the control group after 1 month of treatment (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The administration of TDF tablets significantly reduced the HBV DNA levels and did not increase the physiological burden or adverse effects in pregnant women with HBV infection.

Efficacy and safety of antiviral prophylaxis during pregnancy to prevent mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To eliminate mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV), peripartum antiviral prophylaxis might be required for pregnant women infected with HBV who have a high risk of MTCT despite infant immunoprophylaxis. We aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of peripartum antiviral prophylaxis to inform the 2020 WHO guidelines.

METHODS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CENTRAL, CNKI, and Wanfang for randomised controlled trials and non-randomised studies of peripartum antiviral prophylaxis versus placebo or no prophylaxis, with no language restriction, published from database inception until March 28, 2019. We used search terms covering HBV, antiviral therapy, and pregnancy. We included studies that enrolled pregnant women with chronic infection with HBV who received antiviral prophylaxis anytime during pregnancy; that included any of the following antivirals: adefovir, emtricitabine, entecavir, lamivudine, telbivudine, tenofovir alafenamide fumarate, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate; and that reported the following outcomes: MTCT, indicated by infant HBsAg positivity or HBV DNA positivity, or both, at age 6-12 months, and any infant or maternal adverse events. Two reviewers independently extracted data. Our primary endpoint was MTCT based on infant HBsAg positivity. We assessed pooled odds ratios (ORs) of the efficacy of peripartum antiviral prophylaxis to reduce the risk of MTCT. We assessed safety of prophylaxis by pooling risk differences. The protocol for the systematic review was pre-registered in PROSPERO, CRD42019134614.

FINDINGS

Of 7463 articles identified, 595 articles were eligible for full-text review and 129 studies (in 157 articles) were included. The following antivirals were assessed in the meta-analysis: tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg (19 studies, with 1092 mothers and 1072 infants), lamivudine 100-150 mg (40 studies, with 2080 mothers and 2007 infants), and telbivudine 600 mg (83 studies, with 6036 mothers and 5971 infants). The pooled ORs for randomised controlled trials were similar, at 0·10 (95% CI 0·03-0·35) for tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, 0·16 (0·10-0·26) for lamivudine, and 0·14 (0·09-0·21) for telbivudine. The pooled ORs in non-randomised studies were 0·17 (0·10-0·29) for tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, 0·17 (0·12-0·24) for lamivudine, and 0·09 (0·06-0·12) for telbivudine. We found no increased risk of any infant or maternal safety outcomes after peripartum antiviral prophylaxis.

INTERPRETATION

Peripartum antiviral prophylaxis is highly effective at reducing the risk of HBV MTCT. Our findings support the 2020 WHO recommendation of administering antivirals during pregnancy, specifically tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, for the prevention of HBV MTCT.

FUNDING

World Health Organization.

Increased protection of earlier use of immunoprophylaxis in preventing perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus

BACKGROUND

Passive-active immunoprophylaxis against mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) recommends administer hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and birth dose hepatitis B vaccine in infants within 12 or 24 hours after birth. With this protocol, MTCT of HBV still occurs in 5-10% infants of HBV-infected mothers with positive hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg).

METHODS

The present study aimed to investigate whether earlier administration of HBIG and hepatitis B vaccine after birth can further increase the protection efficacy.

RESULTS

Totally, 1140 HBV-infected pregnant women were enrolled, and 982 infants (9 twins) of 973 mothers were finally followed up at 9.6 ± 1.9 months age. HBIG and birth dose vaccine were administered in newborn infants with a median 0.17 hour (0.02-1.0) after birth. The overall rate of MTCT was 0.9% (9/982), with none (0%) of 607 infants of HBeAg-negative mothers and 9 (2.4%) of 375 infants of HBeAg-positive mothers. All nine HBV-infected infants were born to mothers with HBV DNA >2.75×106 IU/ml. Maternal HBV DNA levels >1×106 IU/ml was an independent risk factor (OR = 10.627, 95% CI: 2.135-+∞) for immunoprophylaxis failure.

CONSLUSIONS

Earlier use (within one hour after birth) of HBIG and hepatitis B vaccine can provide better protection efficacy against MTCT of HBV.

Efficacy and safety of telbivudine treatment for the prevention of HBV perinatal transmission

To observe the efficacy of telbivudine in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) women with high viral load during pregnancy and the long-term effects on intelligence, growth, and development of the newborns.A total of 87 patients were included. Forty-two patients received telbivudine orally 600 mg per day and treatment initiated from 12 weeks after gestation until the 12th postpartum week. Forty-five patients were untreated according to principle of informed consent. All infants received injection of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG; 200 IU) and were vaccinated with recombinant HBV vaccine. Wechsler preschool intelligence scale was used to assess mental and neuropsychological developments of these children till they were 6 years old. Data including serum HBV DNA viral load, Apgar score, and scores of Wechsler preschool intelligence scale were analyzed and compared.Levels of both serum HBV DNA and ALT in patients who received telbivudine were significantly decreased at the 12th week after delivery, compared with baseline levels (P < .01). No significant changes were observed in patients not receiving telbivudine (P > .05). Serum HBV DNA and ALT levels at the 12th week after delivery in the telbivudine group were significantly lower than those of patients without telbivudine (P < .01). The serum HBsAg-positive rate in neonates 7 months of age was 0%, which was significantly lower than that in control group (11.11%) (P < .05). No statistical differences were observed between the 2 groups regarding maternal cesarean section rate, adverse pregnancy rate, postpartum bleeding rate, neonatal body mass, Apgar score, neonatal malformation incidence, or intelligence development of newborn.Telbivudine is effective to reduce the viral load in CHB mothers with high viral load and could lower the perinatal transmission rate. Both mental and physical development in neonates with exposure to telbivudine during perinatal period were similar to those without telbivudine exposure.

Expanding Antiviral Prophylaxis During Pregnancy to Prevent Perinatal Hepatitis B Virus Infection: A Cost-effectiveness Study

Background

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) cannot be completely prevented by the administration of active-passive immunoprophylaxis in pregnant women with hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels <10⁶ copies/mL. This study will assess the economic outcomes of expanding antiviral prophylaxis in pregnant women with HBV DNA levels <10⁶ copies/mL.

Methods

A decision model was adopted to measure the economic outcomes of expanded antiviral prophylaxis at different cutoff values of HBV DNA in HBsAg(+) pregnant women in the context of the United States and China. The model inputs, including clinical, cost, and utility data, were extracted from published studies. Sensitivity analyses were carried out to examine the uncertainty of the model outputs. Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and direct medical costs were expressed over a lifetime horizon.

Results

Compared with standard antiviral prophylaxis at HBV DNA ≥10⁶ copies/mL, expanded antiviral prophylaxis improved the health outcomes, and the incremental cost of expanded antiviral prophylaxis varied from $2063 in pregnant women with HBV DNA ≥10⁵ copies/mL to $14925 in all HBsAg(+) pregnant women per QALY gained in the United States, and from $1624 to $12348 in China. The model outcome was considerably influenced by the discount rate, key clinical parameters related to the incidence of MTCT, and efficacy of the prophylaxis strategy.

Conclusions

This study indicates that antiviral prophylaxis using tenofovir among pregnant women with HBV DNA <10⁶ copies/mL may be a cost-effective option, and the cutoff value of the HBV DNA load for antiviral prophylaxis needs to be tailored.

Antenatal administration of hepatitis B immunoglobulin and hepatitis B vaccine to prevent mother to child transmission in hepatitis B virus surface antigen positive pregnant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This study aims at evaluating the benefits and harms of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B vaccine (HBVac) in preventing mother to child transmission in HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) positive pregnant women during antenatal period.

METHODS

Seven electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals (VIP), and 3 clinical trial registry platforms were searched from inception date to December 2017. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this study. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was applied to assessing the risk of bias. The outcomes were analyzed by Review Manager 5.3 software.

RESULTS

Sixteen RCTs involving 2440 HBsAg positive pregnant women were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with placebo group, HBIG and HBVac group had a significant decrease in the number of newborns who were HBsAg positive (relative risks [RR]: 0.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.18, 0.40], P < .00001) and HBV-DNA positive (RR: 0.25, 95% CI [0.09, 0.71], P = .010), and had a significant increase in the number of anti-HBs positive newborns (RR: 3.95, 95% CI [3.11, 5.00], P < .00001). After 1-year follow up, the number of HBsAg positive newborns continued to decline (RR: 0.09, 95% CI [0.04, 0.20], P < .00001) and the number of anti-HBs positive newborns continued to increase in HBIG and HBVac group (RR: 1.30, 95% CI [1.22, 1.38], P < .00001). Compared with HBIG group, HBIG and HBVac group had no significant difference in the number of HBsAg positive newborns (RR: 1.68, 95% CI [0.66, 4.30], P = .28), and had a significant decrease in the number of HBsAg positive newborns (RR: 0.31, 95% CI [0.12, 0.84], P = .02). Additionally, only 1 study reported 2 swelling cases, 4 studies were reported no adverse events, and 11 studies were not report adverse reaction.

CONCLUSIONS

HBIG and HBVac could be an effective alternative for HBsAg positive pregnant women to prevent mother to child transmission. However, due to the limitations of the study, the long-term efficacy and safety of HBIG and HBVac still need long-term and high-quality research to confirm.

Efficacy and safety of antiviral therapy for HBV in different trimesters of pregnancy: systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Several antiviral agents licenced for blocking mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HBV, but their relative efficacy beginning from different trimesters has scarce been evaluated. We aimed to conduct a network meta-analysis to statistically differ the efficacy and safety of each antiviral agents initiating on different timings in preventing mother-to-infant transmission of HBV.

METHODS

Studies were included from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases through July 1, 2019. Eligible studies recruited randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized studies reporting about infant or/and maternal efficacy and safety outcomes and were screened by two investigators independently. Extracted data were analyzed by pair-wised and network meta-analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

3 Randomized and 32 nonrandomized studies enrolling 6738 pregnant female were included. Using network analysis, any antiviral agent interrupted HBV vertical transmission much more effectively than placebo. No agent showed significant efficacy different from others, but a strong trend toward significance was found in telbivudine and tenofovir, of which had the highest probability of being ranked the first- or second-best treatment for reducing MTCT of HBV. The treatment applied in the first and second trimester had a similar efficacy in preventing MTCT. Compared with the initiation during the third trimester, lower rate of MTCT was revealed when antiviral therapy was administrated before third trimester, (RR = 0.045, 95% CI 0.0053 to 0.20); a similar effect at delivery on suppressing maternal HBV DNA level and converting serum HBeAg were achieved if the timing of antiviral treatment started prior, but an obvious improvement of normalizing ALT flare was calculated out; no statistically differences among maternal and fetal safety outcomes were found if mothers received antiviral agents before pregnant 28 weeks.

CONCLUSION

This network meta-analysis recommended the earlier use of telbivudine or tenofovir, tends to be better to prevent MTCT of HBV in pregnancy with no increased adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.

Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Treating Chronic Hepatitis B Infection during Pregnancy with Lamivudine, Telbivudine, and Tenofovir: A Meta-analysis

Background and Aims: The perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains an important global health problem. Here, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the evidence regarding the efficacy and maternal/fetal safety of treating pregnant women with lamivudine, telbivudine (LdT), and tenofovir (TDF). Methods: A PubMed and Scopus search resulted in 1,076 records, which were reduced to 36, containing 7,717 pregnant women with chronic HBV infection and 7467 infants meeting the inclusion criteria. The latest search was in August 2019. Results: Treatment with LdT, but not lamivudine and TDF, could significantly reduce the hepatitis B virus surface antigen-positive rate (odds ratio (OR) = 0.37) in infants; it also led to higher rates of hepatitis B e antigen loss (OR = 12.14), hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion (OR = 8.93), and alanine aminotransferase normalization in mothers (OR = 1.49). Each of these treatments was able to significantly reduce HBV DNA positivity at birth (total OR = 0.19) and mother-to-child-transmission of HBV (total OR = 0.15), and to cause higher rates of HBV DNA suppression in mothers (total OR = 25.53). However, nucleos(t)ide analogues might also be involved in creatine kinase elevation (total OR = 7.48). In contrast, no significant association was found between nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy and preterm/premature births, congenital malformation, low birth weight, and abortion or fetal/infant death. The results suggested LdT's high capability of preventing mother-to-child-transmission. However, TDF failed to show significant associations to a reduced risk of mother-to-child-transmission, probably due to the low number of patients included. Conclusions: Although using either lamivudine, LdT, or TDF could lead to more favorable maternal/fetal outcomes, LdT seemed to show more potential in resolving certain infant- and maternal-related outcomes. More studies on the safety profile of such treatments are required.

Current progress in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B and resulting clinical and programmatic implications

There is currently no cure for hepatitis B chronic infections. Because new hepatitis B infections result mainly from perinatal transmission, preventing mother-to-child transmission is essential to reach by 2030 the goal of hepatitis B elimination set by the World Health Organization. The universal administration of hepatitis B vaccine to all infants, regardless of maternal status, starting with the birth dose, is the cornerstone of the strategy for elimination. Additional interventions, such as hepatitis B immune globulin administered to newborns and antiviral prophylaxis administered to hepatitis B infected pregnant women, may contribute to reaching the goal earlier. Hepatitis B immune globulin may remain out for reach of many pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries due to cost and logistic issues, but antivirals are cheap and do not require a cold chain for distribution. However, it has been observed that some viruses harbor mutations associated with escape from vaccine-elicited antibodies following immunization or administration of hepatitis B immune globulin. Also, resistance associated mutations have been described for several drugs used for treatment of hepatitis B infected patients as well as for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission. Whether these mutations have the potential to compromise the prevention of mother-to-child transmission or future treatment of the mother is a question of importance. We propose a review of important recent studies assessing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and provides detailed information on the mutations possibly relevant in this setting.

Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus after amniocentesis: A retrospective matched cohort study

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to determine whether amniocentesis increases the risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and evaluate risk factors for MTCT.

METHODS

One hundred forty-three hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive women with amniocentesis were enrolled into the amniocentesis group. Six hundred five nonamniocentesis cases were matched with amniocentesis cases based on maternal viral loads, antiviral therapy regimens, and delivery dates. MTCT of HBV was defined as HBsAg and/or DNA positivity in infants from birth to age 7 to 12 months.

RESULTS

Mother-to-child transmission rate was significantly higher in HBsAg-positive women with amniocentesis than in those without amniocentesis (2.80% vs 0.50%; relative risk [RR], 5.64; 95% CI, 1.28-24.93). In the amniocentesis group, maternal HBV DNA more than or equal to 7.0 log₁₀ IU/mL and hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) positivity were associated with higher MTCT rates than maternal HBV DNA less than 7.0 log₁₀ IU/mL (10.81% vs 0%, p = .004) and HBeAg negativity (8.16% vs 0%, p = .013), and antiviral therapy reduced MTCT rate from 14.3% to 0% (p = .554) when maternal HBV DNA was more than or equal to 7.0 log₁₀ IU/mL.

CONCLUSIONS

Amniocentesis increases the risk of MTCT in women with hepatitis B, and maternal HBV DNA more than or equal to 7.0 log₁₀ IU/mL and HBeAg positivity are risk factors for MTCT. Antiviral therapy may be effective to prevent MTCT after amniocentesis in highly viremic mothers.

Efficacy and safety of antiviral treatment on blocking the mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus: A meta-analysis

Nucleo(t)side analogues (NAs) have been administered as adjunctive therapy to interrupt the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV). The efficacy and safety of this method remain controversial. A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NAs treatment during pregnancy. The differences among different agents and initiation trimesters were analysed. A total of 9228 mother-infant pairs in 59 studies (32 RCTs and 27 non-RCTs) were included in this meta-analysis. NAs significantly reduced the risk of MTCT, as indicated by seropositivity of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) (risk ratio (RR) = 0.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45-0.57) and HBV DNA in newborns (RR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.18-0.26). No differences in the efficacy of interrupting HBV MTCT were evident among lamivudine, telbivudine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. NA was more effective when administered from the second than from the third trimester as indicated by HBV DNA (RR: the second vs the third 0.08 vs 0.22, P = 0.010), but this effect was not evident as indicated by HBsAg (RR: the second vs the third 0.46 vs 0.53, P = 0.596). Antiviral treatment initiated from the second trimester did not confer a higher risk of safety problems in the newborns compared with treatment from the third trimester, as indicated by weight (P = 0.064), length (P = 0.491) and malformation rate (P = 0.635) of newborns. CONCLUSIONS: Lamivudine, telbivudine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate are equally effective in blocking HBV MTCT. Antiviral treatment can be applied from the second trimester, without obvious safety concerns.

Baseline serum miR-125b levels predict virologic response to nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B

The aim of the present study was to investigate the predictive value of baseline serum microRNA (miRNA)-125b for nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). A total of 66 patients with Be antigen (HBeAg)-positive CHB received NAs therapy for 144 weeks. Serum miRNA-125b levels were measured at the baseline, while hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were measured throughout treatment. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of treatment response. The results indicated that baseline serum miR-125b (OR=4.377; P=0.006), HBsAg (OR=0.120; P=0.010), ALT >5× upper limit of normal (ULN; OR=11.726; P=0.018) and undetectable HBV DNA at week 24 (OR=7.828; P=0.021) were independent predictors of complete response (CR) at 144 weeks (CR is defined as HBV DNA <500 IU/ml and HBeAg seroconversion). The baseline serum miRNA-125b combined with baseline HBsAg level yielded an area under the receiver-operating curve of 0.852 in discriminating CR and non-CR at 144 week. The combination of baseline miRNA-125b ≥1.7 and ALT >5× ULN had a positive predictive value 80% for CR at 144 weeks. The combination of baseline miRNA-125b ≥1.7 and HbsAg ≤4.4 (log₁₀ IU/ml) had a negative predictive value of CR at 144 weeks of 100%. Together, these results suggest that baseline miRNA-125b is a reliable predictor of HBeAg seroconversion following NAs treatment. The present study may be used as a basis for the use of baseline miRNA-125b to optimize treatment prior to NAs therapy.

Nucleoside/nucleotide analogues in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection during pregnancy: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Women of childbearing age who have developed chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection, especially HBeAg-positive highly viraemic pregnant women, are largely responsible for the familial transmission of the infection. Therefore, choosing the most effective and safest antiviral medications to manage pregnant CHB patients is of crucial importance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PubMed and Scopus databases were searched through September 2017, for all the journal articles possessing original results regarding treatment of CHB pregnant women with any nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapies, including lamivudine (LAM), adefovir (ADV), entecavir (ETV), telbivudine (LdT), and tenofovir (TDF).

RESULTS

After the primary search, 882 studies were recognized, and updating the searching results, 41 journal articles with original data were investigated, involving 3874 newborn infants from mothers with CHB, and their mothers completed follow-up until the delivery. The most important basic data and results regarding the efficacy of drugs, the rate of vertical transmission, safety issues associated with pairs of mothers and infants, median levels of HBV DNA, breastfeeding data, and rate of rate of vaccination success were collected. Moreover, possible key conclusion, recommendations, and learned lessons were discussed. Among the evaluated NAs, all LAM was efficient and safe. LdT was found to be very effective but had some safety concerns. In contrast, TDF had the advantages of both effectiveness and safety.

CONCLUSION

According to data in the literature, initiation of TDF at the trimester of pregnancy in combination with immunoprophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of CHB infection is strongly recommended as well as successful immunization of CHB pregnant women by anti-HBV vaccines.

Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B and C virus: review of the epidemiology and current treatment options

Hepatitis B and C viruses are the leading causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Hepatitis B virus is predominantly transmitted perinatally, particularly in endemic areas. The rate of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis C virus is on the rise, largely due to the increasing opioid epidemic. While there are guidelines established for the screening and treatment of pregnant females at risk for chronic hepatitis B infection, there no such guidelines or treatment options available in pregnant females with chronic hepatitis C infection. This review examines the epidemiology of mother-to-child transmission of chronic hepatitis B and C as well as the current treatment options during pregnancy and breastfeeding for both.

Knowledge of and attitudes towards hepatitis B and its transmission from mother to child among pregnant women in Guangdong Province, China

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a serious public health problem worldwide. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HBV is the major mode of transmission in HBV-endemic areas, including China, where little is known about pregnant women's knowledge of and attitudes towards HBV infection and MTCT.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey, conducted in pregnant women in Guangdong Province, China, measured HBV knowledge and attitudes using a questionnaire, at one tertiary and two rural hospitals.

RESULTS

The total response rate was 94.5% (737/780). Of the 11 knowledge questions, the mean score was 6.73 ± 3.04 (mean ± SD). Most pertinent to preventing MTCT, 53.3% of the respondents did not know that HBV can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse and nearly 20% did not know that HBV can be transmitted from mother to infant. The results of the four attitude questions was better with 83% and 85% being willing to be screened for HBV and let their baby receive HBV vaccine and HBIg, respectively. However, only 16.5% of respondents agreed that they would be willing to take drugs that are known not to harm the fetus to prevent MTCT of HBV. In multivariable analysis, higher education level was associated with better knowledge and attitude scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge about HBV among pregnant women was poor and needs to be improved to prevent MTCT of HBV. Health education needs to be directed towards pregnant mothers, particularly less educated mothers, in high HBV endemicity settings.