title: A non-invasive assessment of hepatitis B virus carrier status using saliva samples.
abstract: A non-invasive testing method to determine hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier status in pregnant women was evaluated. Paired serum and saliva samples were collected and assessment of hepatitis B markers were performed. Of the 502 women enrolled, 5.6% (28/502) of their sera were found to be positive for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). Assessment of 28 HBsAg seroreactive and 200 HBsAg sero-non-reactive paired saliva samples showed that 17 saliva contained HBsAg. Fourteen of the saliva reactive samples were matched to the serum reactive samples (50% sensitivity); and 3 saliva samples were positive for HBsAg among 200 subjects seronegative for HBsAg (98.5% specificity). Seven of the 28 HBsAg positive sera were found to be reactive for HBV envelope antigen (HBeAg) (25%). One of seven HBeAg seroreactive and 16 HBeAg seronegative paired saliva samples tested were non-reactive for HBeAg. This report found a non-invasive saliva testing method to be a possible alternative approach for determining chronic HBV carrier status if the sensitivity of the test can be improved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2, Jakarta, Indonesia.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Perrault
authors.forename: L T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Caringal
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Manaloto
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sie
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Leonardo
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Hyams
mesh_terms: D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008403:Mass Screening; D010679:Philippines / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens