Transplacental transmission of hepatitis C virus in HIV-negative mothers.
The aim of this work was to evaluate transplacental transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in HIV-negative pregnant women who were HCV-PCR-positive, and also to determine the serotypes of the virus in these cases. Therefore, 767 pregnant women were screened for anti-HCV antibodies, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HIV antibodies. HCV PCR was performed for HCV-positive women. Those who were PCR-positive were tested for anti-HCV IgM. Neonates of PCR-positive mothers were tested for virus transmission by the PCR test. Virus serotyping was done for mothers and neonates. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 105 out of 767 (13.7%) pregnant women. PCR was positive in 18 out of 67 HCV-positive women (26.9%). Transplacental transmission occurred in 11.1% of HIV-negative pregnant women. HCV type 4 predominates in Egypt (83.3%). Mothers who are PCR-positive and have high aspartate aminotransferase and positive anti-HCV IgM are most likely to transmit HCV to their babies.
Agha
S
S
Clinical Pathology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt.
Sherif
L S
LS
Allam
M A
MA
Fawzy
M
M
D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D004534:Egypt; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000821:virology; D012703:Serotyping
D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases