Hepatitis B Virus Infection In Women Research Articles

Development of a risk prediction score for screening for HBV, HCV and HIV among migrants in France: results from a multicentre observational study (STRADA study)

ObjectivesMigrants from high HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) endemicity regions have a great burden of these infections and related diseases in the host countries. This...

Hepatitis B prevention and treatment needs in women in Senegal (ANRS 12356 AmBASS survey)

BackgroundAlthough mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is prevalent in West Africa, epidemiological data on HBV infection in women remain scarce. We studied i) hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence and its correlates, ii) HBV screening history and serological status awareness, iii) MTCT risk and treatment needs in Senegalese women.MethodsA cross-sectional population-based serosurvey for HBsAg positivity was conducted in 2018–2019 in the rural area of Niakhar (Fatick region, Senegal). Participants were offered home-based HBV screening and answered face-to-face questionnaires. HBsAg-positive participants underwent clinical and biological assessments. Data were weighted and calibrated to be representative of the area’s population. Logistic regression models helped identify factors associated with HBsAg-positivity in adult women (> 15 years old).ResultsHBsAg prevalence in adult women was 9.2% [95% confidence interval: 7.0–11.4]. Factors associated with HBsAg-positivity were being 15–49 years old (ref: ≥ 50), living in a household with > 2 other HBsAg-positive members, and knowing someone with liver disease. Only 1.6% of women had already been tested for HBV; no one who tested HBsAg positive was already aware of their serological status. In women 15–49 years old, 5% risked MTCT and none were eligible for long-term antiviral treatment.ConclusionsAdult women have a high HBsAg prevalence but a low MTCT risk. Low rates of HBV screening and serological status awareness argue for the adoption of systematic screening during pregnancy using free and rapid diagnostic tests. Additionally, screening household members of HBsAg-positive women may greatly improve the cascade of care in rural Senegal.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT03215732.

Issues des transferts cumulés d’embryons frais et congelés en fécondation in vitro chez les femmes infectées par le virus de l’hépatite B

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in women on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. MethodsAn observational monocentric case-control cohort study conducted between 2012 and 2019 compared the outcomes of the first cycle of IVF between 64 woman infected with HBV and 128 seronegative controls. Frozen embryos transfers made within 18 months of the puncture were included. The exclusion criteria were severe infections, viral co-infection in women, any viral infection in their spouse, or lack of fresh embryo transfer. The matching was performed according to age, primary infertility or secondary, conventional or intracytoplasmic injection IVF technique and date of attempt. The main analysis focused on cumulative live births rates (LBR). ResultsThe clinical and ovarian stimulation characteristics were comparable except for a longer period of infertility in the HBV group. The LBR in the HBV group, when compared to controls, was not different after transfer of fresh (14.06 vs. 25.00% P=0.08) or frozen embryos (4.17 vs. 18.92% P=0.08), but significantly decreased in cumulative analysis (15.63 vs. 35.94% P=0.003). HBV infection was negatively associated with LBR in multivariate analysis OR=0.38 (95% CI 0.14–0.92) P<0.05. The implantation rate was lower in the HBV group versus controls, in fresh (14.89 vs. 27.72% P=0.02) and frozen (3.03 vs. 21.65% P=0.01) embryo transfers. ConclusionThis study suggests a negative impact of HBV infection in women on the cumulative LBR after IVF.

Consensus on clinical management of hepatitis B virus- infected women of childbearing age

The mother-to-child transmission(MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the dominant cause of chronic HBV infection. In order to achieve the goal of "zero" MTCT before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and after pregnancy; standardized management for hepatitis HBV infection in women of childbearing age should be regulated. The content of this consensus includes: screening and treatment of HBV in pregnant women and women of childbearing age, treatment of hepatitis B during pregnancy, preventive measures and evaluation of combined immunization of hepatitis B immunoglobulin and hepatitis B vaccine in newborns, anti-viral therapy for all pregnant women with a high HBV DNA level and post-partum period related management. In addition, 16 recommendations were formed for clinicians to standardize the clinical management of HBV infection in women of child-bearing age.

Hepatitis B virus infection in hilly/mountainous regions of southeastern China: a locality-dependent epidemiology

BackgroundThe overall prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in China is declining. The purpose of this study was to use a community-based epidemiological study to update the infection status of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in mountainous regions of China, and to evaluate the impact of the Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) on HBV transmission.MethodsIn total, 10,383 participants were selected by multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling in two mountainous regions, Xianju and Anji, in Zhejiang province, China.ResultsThe positive rates of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBV core antigen (anti-HBc), and anti-HBV surface antigen (anti-HBs) were 9.5%, 33.9%, and 51.0%, respectively. Positive HBV markers were more frequently detected in males than in females (P < 0.01). The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were elevated (>38 IU/L) in 15.3% of the HBsAg-positive and 6.3% of the HBsAg-negative subjects. The α-fetoprotein (AFP) level was elevated in 0.8% of the HBsAg-positive participants who were older than 30 years old.ConclusionsThe epidemiology of HBV infection is location dependent. The prevalence of HBV infection in the mountainous regions is higher than the national levels. Moreover, HBV infection in women of childbearing age is up to 10%, which represents a main factor for continuous HBV transmission.

Study on association between HLA-DP gene polymorphism and susceptibility to hepatitis B virus infection in minority population in Guizhou province

To investigate the association between HLA-DP gene polymorphism and the susceptibility to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in people in Buyi, Miao and Shui ethnic groups in Guizhou. A total of 256 patients with HBV infection, 142 HBV self-cleared patients and 135 controls were recruited from 3 ethnic groups for this case-control study. Genotypes of rs3077 and rs9277535 were determined by using real-time PCR with a TaqMan-MGB probe. Compared with healthy subjects and self-cleared subjects, the allele distribution of rs9277535 was significantly associated with chronic HBV infection (P<0.05), no significant differences in rs3077 allele and genotype distributions were found among 3 groups (P>0.05). Compared with the rs9277535 GG genotype, the AA and AG genotypes were protective factors against HBV infection in dominant model after adjustment for age and sex (OR=0.645, 95%CI: 0.421-0.988), and no significant difference in rs3077 locus was found in the same analysis (P>0.05). For men, the rs3077 locus CC and CT genotypes were also protective factors against HBV infection (OR=0.493, 95%CI: 0.266-0.916), and there was no significant difference in rs9277535 locus compared the genotype distributions among 3 groups in dominant mode. Comparison of allele and genotype distribution in 3 ethnic groups showed that HLA-DP gene rs3077 genotype distributions had significant difference between the HBV infection group and the healthy control group in Buyi ethnic group (χ(2)=6.726, P=0.036). The presence of rs9277535A allele atHLA-DP gene polymorphisms might decrease the risk for HBV infection, the rs3077 C allele at HLA-DP gene polymorphisms might also confer protective effect against HBV infection in women. No significant correlation between HLA-DP gene rs3077 and rs9277535 locus polymorphism and HBV clearance was found in this study. The HLA-DP gene rs3077 genotype distribution of HBV-infected patients had significant differences among different ethnic groups.

Risk Factors for Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among Women Attending a Clinic for Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Risk factors for and serologic evidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection were analyzed among 557 women. Study subjects were attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases and enrolled in a clinical trial of nonoxynol-9 prevention of gonococcal and chlamydial infections. Seventy-eight (14%) showed serologic evidence of past HBV infection. Only age at time of serum collection was significantly associated with HBV marker prevalence (P = 0.04). None of the four measures of sexual activity taken (number of sex partners per month, frequency of sexual intercourse, number of documented episodes of sexually transmitted diseases, and lifetime number of sexual partners) were significantly related to the presence of HBV markers. For each measure, however, differences observed between HBV positive and negative subjects were consistent with what would be expected if these factors did contribute to HBV infection risk. These results support the role of heterosexual transmission of HBV infection in women and are consistent with recommendations for hepatitis B immunization of heterosexually active persons with multiple sexual partners.