Transplacental leakage of HBeAg-positive maternal blood as the most likely route in causing intrauterine infection with hepatitis B virus.
Thirty-two HBeAg-positive carrier mothers and their 32 babies were investigated to elucidate the mechanism involved in intrauterine infection with HBV. Five mothers had symptoms and signs of threatened abortion and/or threatened preterm labor. Three mothers gave birth more than 6 weeks after the episodes, and their babies were those infected in utero. The other two gave birth within 1 week after the episodes, and the two babies were treated with HBIG immediately after birth; HBV infection was successfully prevented. Therefore we suggest that transplacental leakage of HBeAg-positive maternal blood, which is induced by uterine contractions during pregnancy and the disruption of placental barriers, is the most likely route to cause HBV intrauterine infection.
Lin
H H
HH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Republic of China.
Lee
T Y
TY
Chen
D S
DS
Sung
J L
JL
Ohto
H
H
Etoh
T
T
Kawana
T
T
Mizuno
M
M
D002353:Carrier State / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*
D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens