Hepatitis C virus load during pregnancy and puerperium.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether pregnancy and delivery influence serum levels of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in carrier mothers.


METHODS
A prospective study.


METHODS
University department of obstetrics and gynaecology.


METHODS
Ten pregnant HCV carriers (group A) and 8 nonpregnant HCV carriers (group B).


METHODS
Serum samples were collected for group A at first and third trimesters, delivery, postpartum 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, and at every three months for 1 year for group B.


METHODS
Each serum sample was tested for serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), anti-HCV titre and HCV-cDNA concentration by a competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with a sensitivity of 250 copies/mL serum.


RESULTS
In group A, the HCV levels remained unremarkably changed during pregnancy and delivery. However, all women had decreased HCV levels 1 and 3 months after delivery. Two women had undetectable serum HCV level postpartum and thereafter. Serum ALT values in 3 women were sporadically elevated, but did not correlate with decreased serum HCV levels. Anti-HCV titres remained unchanged during the study period. In two women from group B, the serum HCV levels were undetectable during follow up. Other 6 women showed fluctuations in the serum HCV levels but all were above 250 copies/mL. Serum ALT values were normal and anti-HCV titres remained stationary in all 8 nonpregnant carriers.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum HCV levels are decreased 1 and 3 months after delivery. This fact might suggest that puerperium is an optimal time for antiviral therapy in HCV carrier mothers.
Lin
H H
HH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine and the Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Republic of China.
Kao
J H
JH
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D002353:Carrier State / Q000821:virology*; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000097:blood; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*; D019562:Viral Load
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004279:DNA, Viral; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D000410:Alanine Transaminase