Regional Review Hepatitis B and C virus infections among pregnant women in Arab and African countries (original) (raw)

Hepatitis B and C virus infections among pregnant women in Arab and African countries

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, 2013

Introduction: The epidemiology of viral hepatitis during pregnancy is of paramount importance for health planners and program managers. Data on viral hepatitis during pregnancy are not readily available in many African and Arab countries. Both regions have their own unique geography, and comprise over 59 states with crossover and interaction of different cultures. Methodology: A systematic electronic search of the published literature was conducted and data on epidemiology and risk factors of maternal hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and hepatitis C (HCV) infection in Arab and African countries were extracted from relevant studies. Results: The serology of hepatitis viruses varies greatly among these countries, with different viral genotype patterns. Such a variation in prevalence could be explained by the different risk factors involved. Sexual contact, perinatal infection, blood and its derivatives, hemodialysis, intravenous and percutaneous drug use, and occupational, habitual, and social behavior have been identified as risk factors for hepatitis transmission in various settings in these countries. Conclusions: Infection from hepatitis B and C viruses imposes major socioeconomic and even political burdens on such young and dynamic societies. Thus strategies and clear policies of intervention are required to combat the consequences of hepatitis B and C at both the regional and national levels.

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C in pregnant ladies and their neonates in minia governorate

International Journal of Pregnancy & Child Birth, 2018

Objective: Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C (HVC) in pregnant women is not uncommon and have a threat for both mothers and fetuses. This study was performed to explore the true prevalence of HBV and HCV and incidence of neonatal transmission in Minia locality. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study was conducted at the maternity and pediatric Hospital Minia University in the period between January 2015 till December 2016 all women coming in labour was included in this study. The main outcomes were the prevalence of hepatitis B and C in women and incidence of neonatal transmission. Results: Total number of women accepted sharing in our study was 11250 ladies. Total number of infected cases was 135 patients (1.2%), 84 of them were HCV +ve (0.75%) and 41 cases HBV+VE (0.364%) while 10 cases were mixed infection(0.089%), 102 patient (75.5%) of infected cases from rural areas while 33 patient (24.5%) from the urban areas. Total number of acquired neonatal hepatitis at delivery was 7 cases only, then after 3 months reassessment shows another 3 cases, So total number of infected babies after three months follow up was 10 cases out of 135 maternal cases in a percentage of 7.4%. Conclusion: Hepatitis infection is a public and social problem affecting some pregnant women in Egypt and need to be fully discovered and to be well investigated to reduce the incidence of new cases and to counteract against flare up of new infection with consequences for both mothers and newborns, and the relative lack of data, make this a critical medical challenge.

Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus in pregnant Sudanese women

Virology Journal, 2007

The epidemiology of viral hepatitis during pregnancy is essential for health planners and programme managers. While much data exist concerning viral hepatitis during pregnancy in many African countries, no proper published data are available in Sudan.

O268 Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus in pregnant Sudanese women

International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 2009

The epidemiology of viral hepatitis during pregnancy is essential for health planners and programme managers. While much data exist concerning viral hepatitis during pregnancy in many African countries, no proper published data are available in Sudan.

Epidemiology of hepatitis B and C in a pregnant woman in a tertiary teaching hospital in Jordan

Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2019

Background: Maternal infection with hepatitis can expose the newborn to subsequent chronic hepatitis. Acquired hepatitis is a preventable condition. A low percentage of hepatitis during pregnancy was found in this study to indicate successfully adoption of the modern methods of infection control. Objective: Maternal infection with hepatitis B or C virus can expose the newborn to a subsequent chronic hepatitis infection. Perinatally acquired hepatitis B virus is a largely preventable condition. Herein, the authors aimed o determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections among pregnant women. Materials and Methods: 48,556 pregnant women attending the delivery room between January 2005 and December 2016 were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B antibody (HBsAb), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), hepatitis B e antibody (HBeAb), hepatitis B core IgM (HBc IgM), hepatitis B core IgG (HBc IgG), and hepatitis C antibody (HCV Ab). The percentages of the above variables were determined. Results: Of the 48,556 women, 118 (0.24 %) were found to have hepatitis, 107 (0.22%) with hepatitis B, and 11 (0.02%) with hepatitis C. HBsAg was positive in 102 (86.4 %), HBsAb in six (5.1%), HBeAg in 14 (11.9%), HBeAb in 52 (44.1%), HBc IgM in seven (5.9%), HBc IgG in 51 (43.2%), and HCV Ab in 11 (9.3%). Acute hepatitis B was found in two (1.7%) women, chronic hepatitis B in 60 (50.1%), chronic hepatitis B and C in four (3.4%), chronic hepatitis C in seven (5.9%), chronic inactive hepatitis B in 39 (33.1%), latent hepatitis in two (1.7%), and resolved chronic hepatitis B in four (3.4%). Conclusions: A low percentage of seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C during pregnancy was found at a tertiary university hospital in Jordan.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infection among Pregnant Women in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt

Afro-Egyptian Journal of Infectious and Endemic Diseases (Online), 2020

Background and study aim: Viral infections is the cause of liver inflammation, cirrhosis and even liver hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite the availability of HBV vaccine and antiviral treatment for HBV and HCV both remain a major health problem. The aim of this study To determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV infection among pregnant women in Sharkia governorate, Egypt. Subject and Methods: : is a crosssectional study, It involved 563pregnant women attending the antenatal care clinic, all women are subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, laboratory investigations, detection of HBsAb, HCV antibodies by rapid one-step test then by ELISA if positive, PCR was done. Results: In this study, 10 cases had anti-HCV positive with ELISA, 8 cases were positive by PCR while one case was positive for HBs Ag by ELISA, no coinfected pregnant women were detected. the prevalence rate of HBV&HCV was 0.17%, 1.7 % respectively. Conclusion: All pregnant women should be routinely screened during an early antenatal visit for HCV Antibodies and HBsAg. Cases with HCV antibodies positivity should be subjected to PCR for HCV RNA.

Incidence and risk factors for hepatitis C infection in a cohort of women in rural Egypt

Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2008

A prospective cohort study of the incidence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was performed in 2171 pregnant women in three rural Egyptian villages who were HCV antibody (anti-HCV) and RNA (HCV-RNA) negative at baseline. During an average of 2.2 years follow up, 25 incident cases were observed, giving an estimated HCV incidence of 5.2/1000 person-years (PY). The infection rate correlated with community anti-HCV prevalence in pregnant women, while the perinatal incidence rate of 11.2/1000 PY was almost five times that of the non-perinatal rate (2.3/1000 PY). The data suggested iatrogenic perinatal risk factors were associated with infection in one village, while health education reduced infections in another. Among the 25 incident cases, eight were HCV-RNA negative when they were first found to be anti-HCV positive and one-third of the 15 viraemic cases with follow-up data available cleared their HCV-RNA after an average of 1.3 years. None of the 25 incident cases were jaundiced or had symptoms of hepatitis but elevated serum alanine aminotransferase levels confirmed hepatitis in nine. Our data suggest that asymptomatic HCV infections frequently occurred during the perinatal period but often cleared and that educating medical personnel on safe practices possibly reduced HCV transmission.