Lack of evidence for transplacental transmission of HBV infection by HBsAg-carrier mothers.
The possibility of transplacental transmission of HBV infection was investigated in 54 HBsAg-carrier Saudi mothers and their newborns. Controls were 60 Saudi mothers with previous exposure to HBV, and their newborns. Thirteen cord blood samples were HBsAg-positive by ELISA, including three from mothers with previous exposure to HBV, compared with one sample which was HBsAg- and HBeAg-positive and three samples which were only HBeAg-positive. Eight of the 13 cord blood samples which were HBsAg-positive by ELISA were haemolysed sera and were found to be HBsAg-negative by RIA and RPHA. None of the infants' sera, taken within 1-4 days of delivery, was positive for HBsAg or IgM anti-HBc. These results indicate that HBV markers in cord blood are either false-positive or due to contamination by maternal blood rather than an indication of in utero infection.
Ramia
S
S
Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Al-Frayh
A R
AR
Bakir
T M
TM
D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D012529:Saudi Arabia
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens