title: Chronic HBV infection in pregnant immigrants: a multicenter study of the Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases.
abstract: The aims of the study were to estimate the clinical impact of HBV infection in pregnant immigrants and their family members and to identify a useful approach to managing the healthcare of HBsAg-positive immigrants. Included in this study were 143 HBsAg-positive pregnant immigrants of the 1,970 from countries with intermediate/high HBV endemicity who delivered in 8 Italian hospitals in 2012-2013. In addition, 172 family members of 96 HBsAg-positive pregnant immigrants were tested for serum HBsAg. The median age of the 143 HBsAg-positive pregnant immigrants was 31.0±12.1 years and the length of stay in Italy 5.0±4.1 years; 56.5% were unaware of their HBsAg positivity. HBV DNA was detected in 74.5% of the pregnant immigrants, i.e., 94.3% from Eastern Europe, 72.2% from East Asia and 58.1% from Sub-Saharan Africa. HBV DNA ≥2000 IU/mL was detected in 47.8% of pregnant immigrants, associated with ALT ≥1.5 times the upper normal value in 15% of cases. Anti-HDV was detected in 10% of cases. HBsAg was detected in 31.3% of the 172 family members. All HBsAg-positive immigrants received counseling on HBV infection and its prevention, and underwent a complete clinical evaluation. The findings validate the approach used for the healthcare management of the HBsAg-positive immigrant population.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases, Second University f Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Evangelista
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sagnelli
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Taliani
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases, University of Brescia Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Castelli
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases, S. M. Annunziata di Firenze Hospital, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bartolozzi
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases, University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cacopardo
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases, Belcolle Hospital, Viterbo, Italy.
authors.forename: Orlando
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Armignacco
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases, Ospedali Riuniti of Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scotto
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stroffolini
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sagnelli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005061:Europe, Eastern / Q000453:epidemiology; D005202:Asia, Eastern / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HBV infection; HBV infection in immigrant populations; HBV infection in pregnant immigrants; HBV infection in pregnant women