Abstract
Objective: Evaluate the immunological status to hepatitis B virus of Senegalese pregnant women by screening HBs antigen. Material and methods: The selection criteria of women were presence at the laboratory for biological exams of pregnancy follow-up. All volunteers for the study were screened for HBs antigen (HBs Ag). Investigation of chronic hepatitis B markers (HBe Ag, anti-HBe, viral quantification) was performed in HBs Ag positive participants. The concentration of anti-HBs antibodies was assessed in HBs Ag negative women. Results: One hundred and fifteen (115) pregnant women were included in the study from July to October 2014. The mean age was 29 ± 6 years, ranging from 16 to 47. The seroprevalence of HBs Ag was 12% and the majority of women (90%) were not vaccinated. Any of the 14 HBs Ag-positive subjects did not express serum HBe Ag, (marker of active viral replication) and all were positive for anti-HBe antibodies. Their viral load (HBV DNA) was undetectable and serum transaminases were normal. The anti-HBs antibodies titrated in HBs-Ag negative women serum revealed that only 46 had protective levels against HBV whilst 55 of them were unprotected.
Highlights
Hepatitis B is a major public health problems, represents potentially mortal hepatic infection
Niang et al 38 hepatitis B virus defined as positivity for the HBs antigen (HBs Ag) for at least 6 months
That is why we aim to evaluate the prevalence of HBs Ag in a population of pregnant women to gather essential information in the fight against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections
Summary
Hepatitis B is a major public health problems, represents potentially mortal hepatic infection. Niang et al 38 hepatitis B virus defined as positivity for the HBs antigen (HBs Ag) for at least 6 months. In 2015, 887,000 people died from cirrhosis or liver cancer deriving from hepatitis B infection. Africa has the heavier burden with a prevalence of over 6.1% in adults. The vaccine against hepatitis B, available since 1982, is effective at 95% in preventing the infection, development of chronic hepatitis and liver cancer [1]. The vertical transmission of the hepatitis B virus remains a major cause of the maintenance of the hepatitis B epidemic in the world [2]
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