Outcomes of passive-active immunoprophylaxis given to infants of mothers infected with hepatitis B virus in Babol, Iran.
BACKGROUND
Infants born to chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected mothers may be infected in spite of receiving passive-active immunoprophylaxis.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the outcome of infants born to women actively infected by HBV.


METHODS
From April 2004 to September 2009, infants born to women actively infected by HBV received hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth. The second and third doses of HBV vaccine were administered at 1 and 6 months of age. Post-vaccination tests to detect HBsAg and anti-HBs were assessed between 12 and 15 months of age. Those who had anti-HBs titers<10mIU/ml received the second series of HBV vaccine.


RESULTS
Thirty-four and 201 infants were born to HBeAg-seropositive and anti-HBe-seropositive mothers, respectively. HBsAg was detected in 6 (17.6%) infants born to HBeAg-seropositive mothers and in 3 (1.5%) to anti-HBe-seropositive mothers (p=0.0001). Anti-HBs ≥ 10mIU/ml were achieved in 26 (76.5%) and 178 (88.6%) infants of HBeAg-seropositive and anti-HBe-seropositive mothers, respectively (p>0.05). Twenty-two (9.4%) infants were non-responders and 11(50%) of them responded to the second series of HBV vaccine.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that infants of HBeAg-seropositive mothers have higher risk of developing of HBV infection. Some HBsAg-seronegative infants may not respond to passive-active immunoprophylaxis and may remain at risk of HBV infection.
Soleimani Amiri
Mohammad Jafar
MJ
Infectious Diseases Research Center, Babol Medical University, Babol, Iran.
Hasanjani Roushan
Mohammad Reza
MR
Baiany
Masomeh
M
Taheri
Hassan
H
Hasanjani Roushan
Mahbobeh
M
D018890:Chemoprevention / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive / Q000379:methods*; D016233:Immunotherapy, Active / Q000379:methods*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007492:Iran; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines