Vertical Transmission Of Virus Research Articles

Blocking Zika virus vertical transmission

The outbreak of the Zika virus (ZIKV) has been associated with increased incidence of congenital malformations. Although recent efforts have focused on vaccine development, treatments for infected individuals are needed urgently. Sofosbuvir (SOF), an FDA-approved nucleotide analog inhibitor of the Hepatitis C (HCV) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) was recently shown to be protective against ZIKV both in vitro and in vivo. Here, we show that SOF protected human neural progenitor cells (NPC) and 3D neurospheres from ZIKV infection-mediated cell death and importantly restored the antiviral immune response in NPCs. In vivo, SOF treatment post-infection (p.i.) decreased viral burden in an immunodeficient mouse model. Finally, we show for the first time that acute SOF treatment of pregnant dams p.i. was well-tolerated and prevented vertical transmission of the virus to the fetus. Taken together, our data confirmed SOF-mediated sparing of human neural cell types from ZIKV-mediated cell death in vitro and reduced viral burden in vivo in animal models of chronic infection and vertical transmission, strengthening the growing body of evidence for SOF anti-ZIKV activity.

873: Vertical transmission and placental pathology of twin pregnancies from Zika virus infected mothers

Zika virus infection during pregnancy can lead to severe birth defects in the developing fetus. Little is known about the natural history of Zika infection in twin pregnancies. Here, we report on placental pathological findings from twin pregnancies complicated by Zika virus infection in pregnancy, markers of vertical transmission, and concordance. This is a cohort of twin gestations from a prospective study of pregnancies with confirmed maternal Zika virus infection. Timing of Zika infection was confirmed by PCR from maternal samples in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 2016 to 2017. Placental specimens were collected at the time of delivery for PCR analysis and pathology. Histopathologic analysis was performed by a placental pathologist. Infants were tested for vertical transmission of Zika virus by PCR at the time of birth. There were three cases of twin gestation with confirmed maternal ZIKV infection in preplacental pathology. All cases were dichorionic/diamniotic twin gestations. Patient characteristics and placental findings are reported in the Table. Patient 1 was infected at 24 weeks gestation; she delivered at 37 weeks. Placental PCR was discordant but both twins were PCR positive. Patient 2 was infected at 33 weeks gestation and delivered at 34 weeks. Both placentas and both twins were PCR positive at birth. Patient 3 was infected at 16 weeks gestation and delivered at 35 weeks. One twin and associated placenta were PCR-positive, while the second twin and placenta were PCR negative. On histopathologic analysis, all six placentas were found to have delayed villous maturation. Placental histopathologic findings were also distinct in each placental pair. Maternal Zika infection in dichorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancies may be discordant in vertical transmision. Placental PCR may be discordant with newborn PCR results. Placentas from each twin may have distinct pathologic findings. These results suggest that each twin should be evaluated individually for Zika infection as ZIKV may not transmit equally to each fetus.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of dengue virus infection during pregnancy

Objective To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of dengue virus infection during pregnancy. Methods A retrospective study was performed based on the clinical data of manifestations, pregnancy outcomes and neonates in patients with dengue virus infection during pregnancy from January 1st, 2014 to December 31th, 2014 at maternity ward in Guangzhou. Results The most common manifestations in patients with dengue virus infection during pregnancy were fever (100.0%), body soreness (42.9%), headache (41.3%), cutaneous rash (41.3%), fatigue (34.9%) and muscle pain or arthralgia (17.5%), nausea and vomiting (12.7%). The decline proportions of leukocyte, platelet and neutrophil count were 17.5%, 20.6% and 6.3%, respectively, and the lowest point was observed on 5—6 days after the onset of illness. Miscarriage was observed in 3 pregnant patients (4.8%, all in the first trimester), intra-uterine death in one patient (1.6%, at 22 weeks of gestation) and artificial abortion in 2 cases. A total of 48 patients delivered, among whom caesarean section rate was 37.5%, prematurity rate was 12.5% and low birth weight rate was 8.2%. Maternal–foetal vertical transmission happened in 2 cases. Sequence alignment demonstrated that the homologies of the nucleic acids and amino acids within each dengue virus vertical transmission mother-infant pairs were >99.9%. Conclusions The manifestations of dengue virus infected women with pregnancy are not specific. Early detection and early diagnosis should be made according to the history of epidemiology for women with reproductive age in endemic areas. Maternal dengue virus infection during pregnancy might cause vertical transmission and is correlated with bad outcomes of pregnancy, including miscarriage, intra-uterine death and premature birth. Perinatal infection might cause maternal-foetal vertical transmission. Key words: Dengue; Infection during pregnancy; Pregnancy outcome; Vertical transmission

Corrigendum to ’Efficacy of E2 glycoprotein fused to porcine CD154 as a novel chimeric subunit vaccine to prevent classical swine fever virus vertical transmission in pregnant sows’ [Veterinary Microbiology (2017) 110–116

Corrigendum to ’Efficacy of E2 glycoprotein fused to porcine CD154 as a novel chimeric subunit vaccine to prevent classical swine fever virus vertical transmission in pregnant sows’ [Veterinary Microbiology (2017) 110–116

APOBEC3A Is Upregulated by Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in the Maternal-Fetal Interface, Acting as an Innate Anti-HCMV Effector.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the leading cause of congenital infection and is associated with a wide range of neurodevelopmental disabilities and intrauterine growth restriction. Yet our current understanding of the mechanisms modulating transplacental HCMV transmission is poor. The placenta, given its critical function in protecting the fetus, has evolved effective yet largely uncharacterized innate immune barriers against invading pathogens. Here we show that the intrinsic cellular restriction factor apolipoprotein B editing catalytic subunit-like 3A (APOBEC3A [A3A]) is profoundly upregulated following ex vivo HCMV infection in human decidual tissues-constituting the maternal aspect of the placenta. We directly demonstrated that A3A severely restricted HCMV replication upon controlled overexpression in epithelial cells, acting by a cytidine deamination mechanism to introduce hypermutations into the viral genome. Importantly, we further found that A3 editing of HCMV DNA occurs both ex vivo in HCMV-infected decidual organ cultures and in vivo in amniotic fluid samples obtained during natural congenital infection. Our results reveal a previously unexplored role for A3A as an innate anti-HCMV effector, activated by HCMV infection in the maternal-fetal interface. These findings pave the way to new insights into the potential impact of APOBEC proteins on HCMV pathogenesis.IMPORTANCE In view of the grave outcomes associated with congenital HCMV infection, there is an urgent need to better understand the innate mechanisms acting to limit transplacental viral transmission. Toward this goal, our findings reveal the role of the intrinsic cellular restriction factor A3A (which has never before been studied in the context of HCMV infection and vertical viral transmission) as a potent anti-HCMV innate barrier, activated by HCMV infection in the authentic tissues of the maternal-fetal interface. The detection of naturally occurring hypermutations in clinical amniotic fluid samples of congenitally infected fetuses further supports the idea of the occurrence of A3 editing of the viral genome in the setting of congenital HCMV infection. Given the widely differential tissue distribution characteristics and biological functions of the members of the A3 protein family, our findings should pave the way to future studies examining the potential impact of A3A as well as of other A3s on HCMV pathogenesis.

Vertical Transmission of H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus in Goose.

During a study on high mortality cases of goose embryo in Shandong Province, China (2014–2015), we isolated an H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) strain (A/goose/Shandong/DP01/2014, DP01), which was supposedly the causative agent for goose embryo death. Sequence analysis revealed that DP01 shared 99.9% homology in the HA gene with a classic immune suppression strain SD06. To study the potential vertical transmission ability of the DP01 strain in breeder goose, a total of 105 Taizhou breeder geese, which were 360 days old, were equally divided into five groups (A, B, C, D, and E) for experimental infection. H9N2 AIV (DP01) was used for inoculating through intravenous (group A), intranasal instillation (group B), and throat inoculation (group C) routes, respectively. The geese in group D were inoculated with phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and those in group E were the non-treated group. At 24 h post inoculation, H9N2 viral RNA could be detected at vitelline membrane, embryos, and allantoic fluid of goose embryos from H9N2 inoculated groups. Furthermore, the HA gene of H9N2 virus from vitelline membrane, embryo, allantoic fluid, and gosling shared almost 100% homology with an H9N2 virus isolated from the ovary of breeder goose, which laid these eggs, indicating that H9N2 AIV can be vertically transmitted in goose. The present research study provides evidence that vertical transmission of H9N2 AIV from breeding goose to goslings is possible.

Organotypic models of type III interferon-mediated protection from Zika virus infections at the maternal–fetal interface

Protecting the fetus from the hematogenous spread of viruses requires multifaceted layers of protection and relies heavily on trophoblasts, the fetal-derived cells that comprise the placental barrier. We showed previously that trophoblasts isolated from full-term placentas resist infection by diverse viruses, including Zika virus (ZIKV), and transfer this resistance to nonplacental cells through the activity of paracrine effectors, including the constitutive release of type III interferons (IFNs). Here, we developed 3D cell-line-based models of human syncytiotrophoblasts, cells that lie in direct contact with maternal blood, and show that these cells recapitulate the antiviral properties of primary trophoblasts through the constitutive release of type III IFNs (IFNλ1 and IFNλ2) and become resistant to ZIKV infection. In addition, using organotypic human midgestation chorionic villous explants, we show that syncytiotrophoblasts isolated from the second trimester of pregnancy also constitutively release type III IFNs and use these IFNs in autocrine and paracrine manners to restrict ZIKV infection. Collectively, these data provide important insights into the defense mechanisms used by syncytiotrophoblasts at various stages of human gestation to resist ZIKV infection and new human models to study the role of type III IFNs in the vertical transmission of ZIKV and other viruses associated with congenital disease.

First record of natural vertical transmission of dengue virus in Aedes aegypti from Cuba

While horizontal transmission (human-mosquito-human) of dengue viruses largely determines the epidemiology of the disease, vertical transmission (infected female mosquito- infected offspring) has been suggested as a mechanism that ensures maintenance of the virus during adverse conditions for horizontal transmission to occur. The purpose of this study was to analyze the natural infection of larval stages of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) with the dengue virus (DENV) in Cuba. Here, we report vertical transmission of DENV-3 genotype III in natural populations of Ae. aegypti through RT-PCR detection and serotyping plus sequencing. Our report constitutes the first record of vertical transmission of DENV in Ae. aegypti from Cuba with details of its serotype and genotype.

Inhibition of autophagy limits vertical transmission of Zika virus in pregnant mice.

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy leads to devastating fetal outcomes, including intrauterine growth restriction and microcephaly. Greater understanding of mechanisms underlying ZIKV maternal-fetal transmission is needed to develop new therapeutic interventions. Here, we define an important role for the autophagy pathway in ZIKV vertical transmission. ZIKV infection induced autophagic activity in human trophoblasts and pharmacological inhibition limited ZIKV infectivity. Furthermore, deficiency in an essential autophagy gene, Atg16l1, in mice limited ZIKV vertical transmission and placental and fetal damage and overall improved placental and fetal outcomes. This protection was due to a placental trophoblast cell-autonomous effect of autophagic activity, not to alterations in systemic maternal ZIKV infection. Finally, an autophagy inhibitor, hydroxychloroquine, approved for use in pregnant women, attenuated placental and fetal ZIKV infection and ameliorated adverse placental and fetal outcomes. Our study reveals new insights into the mechanism of ZIKV vertical transmission and suggests that an autophagy-based therapeutic warrants possible evaluation in humans to diminish the risks of ZIKV maternal-fetal transmission.

The impact of Wolbachia infection on the rate of vertical transmission of dengue virus in Brazilian Aedes aegypti

BackgroundWolbachia pipientis is a common endosymbiotic bacterium of arthropods that strongly inhibits dengue virus (DENV) infection and transmission in the primary vector, the mosquito Aedes aegypti. For that reason, Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti are currently being released into the field as part of a novel strategy to reduce DENV transmission. However, there is evidence that DENV can be transmitted vertically from mother to progeny, and this may help the virus persist in nature in the absence of regular human transmission. The effect of Wolbachia infection on this process had not previously been examined.ResultsWe challenged Ae. aegypti with different Brazilian DENV isolates either by oral feeding or intrathoracic injection to ensure disseminated infection. We examined the effect of Wolbachia infection on the prevalence of DENV infection, and viral load in the ovaries. For orally infected mosquitoes, Wolbachia decreased the prevalence of infection by 71.29%, but there was no such effect when the virus was injected. Interestingly, regardless of the method of infection, Wolbachia infection strongly reduced DENV load in the ovaries. We then looked at the effect of Wolbachia on vertical transmission, where we observed only very low rates of vertical transmission. There was a trend towards lower rates in the presence of Wolbachia, with overall maximum likelihood estimate of infection rates of 5.04 per 1000 larvae for mosquitoes without Wolbachia, and 1.93 per 1000 larvae for Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, after DENV injection. However, this effect was not statistically significant.ConclusionsOur data support the idea that vertical transmission of DENV is rare in nature, even in the absence of Wolbachia. Indeed, we observed that vertical transmission rates were low even when the midgut barrier was bypassed, which might help to explain why we only observed a trend towards lower vertical transmission rates in the presence of Wolbachia. Nevertheless, the low prevalence of disseminated DENV infection and lower DENV load in the ovaries supports the hypothesis that the presence of Wolbachia in Ae. aegypti would have an effect on the vertical transmission of DENV in the field.

Congenital Zika virus infection: More than just microcephaly.

A nonhuman primate model demonstrates efficient vertical transmission of Zika virus.

Pesticide-induced changes in fecundity and rice stripe virus transmission ability in Laodelphax striatellus (Homoptera: Delphacidae)

The widespread use of pesticides in rice has caused the resurgence of the small brown planthopper (SBPH), Laodelphax striatellus. In addition to inciting damage by feeding on phloem cells, SBPH also functions as a vector for rice stripe virus (RSV), which can cause serious yield losses. In general, studies focused on pesticide-induced stimulation of SBPH populations have focused on the insects; little information is available on the impact of pesticides on RSV transmission by SBPH. The present study investigated the effects of two pesticides (validamycin and triazophos) on the fecundity and RSV transmission ability of SBPH. Our results demonstrated that the fecundity of non-viruliferous (naïve) or viruliferous SBPH was enhanced by exposure to triazophos at the LC20 and validamycin at 200mgL−1. Meanwhile, the increased number of eggs produced by viruliferous females treated with pesticides was larger than those from naïve females. Exposure to validamycin caused an increase in horizontal transmission of RSV; furthermore, vertical viral transmission rates of SBPH were significantly increased by exposure to triazophos. The present study provides valuable information for understanding the mechanisms underlying the resurgence of SBPH and subsequent outbreaks of RSV.

Efficacy of E2 glycoprotein fused to porcine CD154 as a novel chimeric subunit vaccine to prevent classical swine fever virus vertical transmission in pregnant sows

Here we evaluated the effect of double vaccination with a novel subunit marker vaccine candidate based in the CSFV E2 glycoprotein fused to the porcine CD154 to prevent CSFV vertical transmission. A lentivirus-based gene delivery system was used to obtain a stable recombinant HEK 293 cell line for the expression of E2 fused to porcine CD154 molecule. Six pregnant sows were distributed in two groups and at 64days of gestation animals numbered 1–4 (group 1) were vaccinated via intramuscular inoculation with 50μg of E2-CD154 subunit vaccine. Animals from group 2 (numbered 5 and 6, control animals) were injected with PBS. Seventeen days later sows from group 1 were boosted with the same vaccine dose. Twenty-seven days after the first immunization, the sows were challenged with a virulent CSFV Margarita strain and clinical signs were registered. Samples were collected during the experiment and at necropsy to evaluate immune response and virological protection. Between 14 and 18days after challenge, the sows were euthanized, the foetuses were obtained and samples of sera and tissues were collected. E2-CD154 vaccinated animals remained clinically healthy until the end of the study; also, no adverse reaction was shown after vaccination. An effective boost effect in the neutralizing antibody response after the second immunization and viral challenge was observed and support the virological protection detected in these animals after vaccination. Protection against CSFV vertical transmission was found in the 100% of serums samples from foetus of vaccinated sows. Only two out of 208 samples (0.96%) were positive with Ct value about 36 corresponding to one tonsil and one thymus, which may be non-infective viral particles. Besides, its DIVA potential and protection from vertical transmission, the novel CSFV E2 bound to CD154 subunit vaccine, is a promising alternative to the live-attenuated vaccine for developing countries.

Mathematical model of Zika virus with vertical transmission.

Zika is a flavivirus transmitted to humans through either the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes or sexual transmission. Zika has been linked to congenital anomalies such as microcephaly. In this paper, we analyze a new system of ordinary differential equations which incorporates human vertical transmission of Zika virus, the birth of babies with microcephaly and asymptomatically infected individuals. The Zika model is locally and globally asymptotically stable when the basic reproduction number is less than unity. Our model shows that asymptomatic individuals amplify the disease burden in the community, and the most important parameters for ZIKV spread are the death rate of mosquitoes, the mosquito biting rate, the mosquito recruitment rate, and the transmission per contact to mosquitoes and to adult humans. Scenario exploration indicates that personal-protection is a more effective control strategy than mosquito-reduction strategy. It also shows that delaying conception reduces the number of microcephaly cases, although this does little to prevent Zika transmission in the broader community. However, by coupling aggressive vector control and personal protection use, it is possible to reduce both microcephaly and Zika transmission. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classifications: 92B05, 93A30, 93C15.

Rift Valley fever virus: strategies for maintenance, survival and vertical transmission in mosquitoes.

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne arbovirus causing severe disease in humans and ruminants. Spread of RVFV out of Africa has raised concerns that it could emerge in Europe or the USA. Virus persistence is dependent on successful infection of, replication in, and transmission to susceptible vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, modulated by virus-host and vector-virus interactions. The principal accepted theory for the long-term maintenance of RVFV involves vertical transmission (VT) of virus to mosquito progeny, with the virus surviving long inter-epizootic periods within the egg. This VT hypothesis, however, is yet to be comprehensively proven. Here, evidence for and against the VT of RVFV is reviewed along with the identification of factors limiting its detection in natural and experimental data. The observations of VT for other arboviruses in the genera Alphavirus, Flavivirus and Orthobunyavirus are discussed within the context of RVFV. The review concludes that VT of RVFV is likely but that current data are insufficient to irrefutably prove this hypothesis.

Plasmablast Response to Primary Rhesus Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection in a Monkey Model of Congenital CMV Transmission.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most common congenital infection worldwide and the leading infectious cause of neurologic deficits and hearing loss in newborns. Development of a maternal HCMV vaccine to prevent vertical virus transmission is a high priority, yet protective maternal immune responses following acute infection are poorly understood. To characterize the maternal humoral immune response to primary CMV infection, we investigated the plasmablast and early antibody repertoire using a nonhuman primate model with two acutely rhesus CMV (RhCMV)-infected animals-a CD4+ T cell-depleted dam that experienced fetal loss shortly after vertical RhCMV transmission and an immunocompetent dam that did not transmit RhCMV to her infant. Compared to the CD4+ T cell-depleted dam that experienced fetal loss, the immunocompetent, nontransmitting dam had a more rapid and robust plasmablast response that produced a high proportion of RhCMV-reactive antibodies, including the first identified monoclonal antibody specific for soluble and membrane-associated RhCMV envelope glycoprotein B (gB). Additionally, we noted that plasmablast RhCMV-specific antibodies had variable gene usage and maturation similar to those observed in a monkey chronically coinfected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and RhCMV. This study reveals characteristics of the early maternal RhCMV-specific humoral immune responses to primary RhCMV infection in rhesus monkeys and may contribute to a future understanding of what antibody responses should be targeted by a vaccine to eliminate congenital HCMV transmission. Furthermore, the identification of an RhCMV gB-specific monoclonal antibody underscores the possibility of modeling future HCMV vaccine strategies in this nonhuman primate model.

Vigilancia virológica de Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti y Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus como apoyo para la adopción de decisiones en el control del dengue en Medellín

Introduction: Dengue represents an important public health problem in Colombia. No treatment is available and the vaccine has not been approved in all countries, hence, actions should be strengthened to mitigate its impact through the control of Aedes aegypti , the vector mosquito. In Colombia, surveillance is done using entomological indexes and case notification, which is usually informed late, leading to untimely interventions. Viral detection in urban mosquitoes using molecular techniques provides more accurate entomological information for decision-making. Objective: To report results of virological surveillance in Aedes specimens collected during routine entomological activities of the Secretaria de Salud de Medellin. Materials and methods: Specimens were collected during two periods in each of which we selected 18 dwellings around each one of the 250 larva traps arranged for mosquitoe surveillance, as well as 70 educational institutions and 30 health centers. Specimens were identified morphologically, and divided in pools for viral detection using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We calculated the minimum infection rate and the adult infestation index for each group. Results: We collected 1,507 adult mosquitoes, 10 of which were identified as A. albopictus . Out of the 407 pools, 132 (one of them Ae. albopictus ) were positive, and 14.39% were A. aegypti males. The minimum infection rates for Ae. aegypti were 120.07 and 69,50 for the first and second periods, respectively, and the adult infestation index was higher in educational institutions (23.57%). Conclusions: Using RT-PCR we identified natural infectivity and vertical transmission of dengue virus in A. aegypti and A. albopictus . We suggest the use of molecular techniques in arbovirosis surveillance and control programs in Colombia.

Evidence of non-seed transmission of viruses in grapevine breeding material

The vertical transmission of viruses is an important phenomenon affecting a wide range of viruses and host plants. Nevertheless, the presence of virus in a seed does not always lead to seedling infection. In grapevine, seed transmission has been reported for many nepoviruses, but little is known about Leafroll, Rugose wood complex and Fleck diseases. Thus, the aim of this study is to monitor the virological condition of seedlings obtained by crosses between infected parents, analyzing the sanitary status of seedlings after the transfer in experimental fields. It was observed that, although the viral state of parents was quite compromised, viruses were not detected in any of the 150 progeny plants, demonstrating that the main grapevine viruses are at low risk for seed transmission.

An experimental study on the vertical transmission of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus from naturally infected females to their offspring

Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis is a cosmopolitan disease that affects small ruminant production and causes economic losses. Although the virus has been identified in different parts of the female reproductive tract, including the uterus, there is a lack of studies that discussed its vertical transmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the transmission of caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) from naturally infected females to their offspring. Five known positive goats for CAEV were artificially inseminated with fresh semen obtained from a known negative male for CAEV. After parturition, twelve kids were followed for 12 months, and the vertical transmission of CAEV was studied by applying agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID), competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) and nested-polimerase chain reaction (nested-PCR). From a total of 12 kids, six were positive in nested-PCR. None of them was positive in cELISA and AGID. This study demonstrated the vertical transmission of caprine arthritis encephalitis virus to the kids. The presence of infected females must be avoided due to the rapid spread of the virus and the economic losses associated with the infection.

Quality of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) Services in Dessie Referral Hospital, Dessie City Administration, Ethiopia: Client Perspective

Introduction: Ethiopia is one of the country’s most severely hit by HIV/AIDS epidemic. Besides the dominant heterosexual transmission, vertical virus transmission from mother-to-child accounts for more than 90% of pediatric AIDS. It is estimated that over 90% of childhood HIV infections result from the transmission of the virus from mothers to their children during and soon after birth. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess clients’ satisfaction on the quality of PMTCT services they received in Dessie referral hospital, Dessie city administration, Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was used in Dessie referral hospital, Dessie administrative city. A total of 240 clients were participated in exit interviews to assess the quality of the services delivered based on informed consent. To achieve the desired sample size, the clients were included from the hospital consecutively. Data were collected by interviewer administered questionnaires. Data were cleaned, coded and fed to SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics were computed to summarize the findings and presented using frequency tables. Result: Of 240 clients who accessed PMTCT services, 208 (86.7%) of the clients were overall satisfied with the PMTCT services they received. Two hundred ten (87.5%) of the respondents were satisfied with the waiting time of the services. Conclusion and recommendation: Even if clients were highly satisfied with the PMTCT services they received, there are clients who were not satisfied with the counselling services they received, privacy, waiting time they spent while accessing services. Inadequate confidentially was reported from th e participants. The hospital should renovate the PMTCT clinic to have additional rooms for maintaining privacy and reducing the waiting time of the services as a recommendation.