Is there evidence for intrauterine HBV infection in newborns of hepatitis B carrier mothers?

It has been proposed that some neonates infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), acquire their infections in utero as demonstrated by HBV seromarkers in venous blood samples at birth. In this study, paired blood samples from 13 HBsAg-positive, 19 HBsAg- and HBeAg-positive, 2 HBsAg-negative mothers and 34 of their neonates, were drawn 24-72 hours after birth and tested for HBV-DNA in their peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The presence of HBV-DNA in PBMC was detected in 69.2% (9/13) of HBsAg-positive mothers, 94.7% (18/19) of HBsAg- and HBeAg-positive mothers, and in none of their neonates. The conclusion from these results is that the evidence for hepatitis B infections occurring in neonates of hepatitis B carrier mothers in utero is uncommon.

Immunogenicity of recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine in Thai adults.

To assess the immunogenicity of recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine in healthy adults, 38 healthy volunteers with negative HBsAg antiHBs and antiHBc with age range from 15-35 years old were vaccinated with 20 mcg of recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine at month 0, 1 and 6. The immunogenic responses were studied by radioimmuno-assay method (Abbott Kit) at month 1, 3. 6 and 7. After vaccination, antiHBs were found at momth 1, 3, 6 and 7 in 12/36 (33.3%), 33/36 (91.7%), 33/34 (97.7%) and 34/34 (100%). The geonetric mean titres of antiHBs in seropositive group were 12.3, 54.9, 55.2 and 981.4 mIU/ml. Eighteen of 34 cacciness had antinody titre of more than 1000 mIU/ml. No serious or severe reaction from the vaccine was observed. Our study showed that recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine produced satisfactory immune response in healthy adults. This vaccine can be considered as an alternative hepatitis B vaccine. The promise of unlimited supply at resonable cost should brighten prospects for control of hepatitis B in this country and worldwide.