Prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers in Egyptian neonates

ABSTRACT

95 parturient women were tested for serologic markers of hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection. Of these ten cases [10.53%] were HBs Ag positive; 48 cases [50.53%] were anti HB s AB positive; and 29 cases [30.53%] had only anti-HB s AB positive; and 29 cases [30.53%] had only anti-HB c AB. Of the ten HB s Ag positive mothers none were HB e Ag positive. This points to a very low proportion of infectious carriers to be contrasted to the higher incidence in African and Asian countries. A single mother was positive for HdV antibody [1.053%]. Out of the 95 newborns only one infant [1.053] was positive of HB s Ag at the age of 3 days. 46 neonates [48.42%] were HB s AB positive. Twenty three neonates [24.21%] were positive for anti core antibody. The incidence of manifest HB s antigenemia, in the early neonatal period, appears to be very low particularly with the absence of e antigen positive carrier mothers. The incidence of manifest HB s antigenemia, in the early neonatal period, appears to be very low particularly with the absence of e antigen positive carrier mothers. These observations may indicate that HBV infection in Egypt most probably do not occur vertically