A study on the relationship between point mutation in pre-core region G1896A of hepatitis B virus and safety of breast feeding

Abstract

To investigate the relationship between pre-core G1896A point mutation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and safety of breast feeding. Serum and breast milk samples were collected from 62 pregnant women of HBV DNA positive/HBeAg negative. PCR-solid phase hybridization was used to detect the point mutation in pre-core region G1896A of HBV from pregnant women, and HBV DNA loads in sera and breast milk were determined by fluorescence quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR). The prevalence of point mutation was 61.3% (38/62) in 62 pregnant women with HBsAg positive/HBeAg negative. The positive rate of HBV DNA in breast milk of group with point mutation (28.9%) was similar to that of group without mutation (29.2%, chi2=0.0003, P>0.05). However, The positive rate of HBV DNA in breast milk of group with high HBV loads (56.0%) was significantly higher than that of group with low HBV loads (10.8%, chi2=14.79, P<0.01). The point mutation in pre-core region G1896A of HBV dose not affect the positive rate of HBV DNA in breast milk and higher HBV DNA loads in serum of pregnant women might increase the risk of mother-infant transmission.