Absence of maternal antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen and HBV vertical transmission: one case of infection notwithstanding passive-active prophylaxis.
We report the case of a newborn of an HBsAg carrier mother who was infected by vertical transmission and developed a subclinical hepatitis B at four months of age, notwithstanding the passive-active prophylaxis performed right after birth. The mother's HBV marker status was: HBsAg positive, HBeAg positive, anti-HBc IgM positive at low titer, anti-HBc IgG negative, anti-HBs negative, anti-HBe negative. It is assumed that the absence of anti-HBC antibodies might have favoured, perhaps in utero, the HBV infection whose antigenic expression was subsequently delayed by HBIg administered at birth. These findings suggest that the positivity for anti-HBc IgM must be considered an additional marker of maternal infectivity especially in the absence of anti-HBc IgG antibodies.
Gussetti
N
N
Department of Paediatrics, Università degli Studi di Padova.
Largaiolli
G
G
D'Elia
R
R
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000151:congenital* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D007114:Immunization; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens