Prevalence of maternal hepatitis C infection according to HIV serostatus in six Spanish regions (2003-2006).

The objective of this article is to describe the prevalence of maternal Hepatitis C infection globally and by HIV serostatus. Unlinked anonymous testing on 474,539 samples from newborn babies was carried out, selected through stratified sampling by year and HIV status, in six Spanish Autonomous Regions, from 2003 to 2006. Results were 0.15% for global anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV), 29.69% and 0.10% for HIV(+) and HIV(-) women, respectively. Anti-HCV prevalence rate is low in these regions compared to Hospital cohorts. Although a high prevalence rate in HIV co-infected women is found, it tends to decrease along the period studied.

[Evolution of the human immunodeficiency virus seroprevalence in mothers of newborns from 8 autonomous regions (Spain), 1996-2005]. / Evolución de la seroprevalencia de infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en madres de recién nacidos vivos en 8 comunidades autónomas (1996-2005).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To asses the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroprevalence evolution of newborns' mothers. POPULATION AND METHOD: Unlinked anonymous study of HIV antibodies in blood spots for congenital metabolic disorders detection in newborns, from 1996 to 2005; in Baleares, Canarias, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, Galicia, Melilla and Murcia Regions, including Valencia from 2003 on. HIV-antibodies screening was performed through ELISA and results were confirmed using immunoblot. RESULTS: Global prevalence rates were stable through the period in the 7 initially enrolled regions, near to 1 per thousand; however, during the first 5-year period the prevalence tended to increase (p < 0.05), while a reverse trend was observed in the following 5 years (p < 0.05). Baleares and Valencia showed the highest rates, although Baleares showed a declining trend. Canarias is the only region that displays an increasing trend. CONCLUSIONS: HIV prevalence in newborns' mothers remained steady during the 10-year period, but after a phase of significant increase the tendency has reverted. Data presented in this paper show the importance of monitoring HIV prevalence among women who give birth, and emphasise the need of improving antenatal prophylaxis programmes to prevent mother-to-child transmission.

Evolución de la seroprevalencia de infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en madres de recién nacidos vivos en 8 comunidades autónomas (1996-2005) / Evolution of the human immunodeficiency virus seroprevalence in mothers of newborns from 8 autonomous regions (Spain), 1996-2005

FUNDAMENTO Y OBJETIVO: El objetivo del trabajo hasido estudiar la evolución de la seroprevalenciadel virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH)en madres de recién nacidos vivos.POBLACIÓN Y MÉTODO: Se ha realizado un estudioanónimo y no relacionado de anticuerpos anti-VIHen muestras recogidas para la detección de metabolopatíascongénitas durante el período 1996-2005 en las comunidades autónomas de Baleares,Canarias, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León,Galicia, Melilla y Murcia, y en la Comunidad Valencianadesde 2003. Los resultados se obtuvieronmediante enzimoinmunoanálisis y se confirmaronpor inmunotransferencia.RESULTADOS: La prevalencia global se mantuvo estableen torno al 1‰ en el período 1996-2005, peroaumentó en el primer quinquenio y descendió enel último, ambas tendencias con significación estadística.Valencia y Baleares presentaron las mayoresprevalencias, aunque Baleares con tendenciadescendente. Canarias fue la única comunidadcuya prevalencia aumentó significativamente.CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de infección por elVIH en madres de recién nacidos se mantuvo estableentre 1996 y 2005, pero después de un incrementosignificativo se observa que la tendenciase revierte. Los datos presentados muestran la importanciade mantener y mejorar este sistema deinformación, y subrayan la necesidad de mejorarla aplicación de los programas preventivos de latransmisión perinatal del VIH

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To asses the human immunodeficiencyvirus (HIV) seroprevalence evolutionof newborns’ mothers.POPULATION AND METHOD: Unlinked anonymous studyof HIV antibodies in blood spots for congenital metabolicdisorders detection in new borns, from1996 to 2005; in Baleares, Canarias, Castilla-LaMancha, Castilla y León, Galicia, Melilla and MurciaRegions, including Valencia from 2003 on. HIVantibodiesscreening was performed through ELISAand results were confirmed using immunoblot.RESULTS: Global prevalence rates were stablethrough the period in the 7 initially enrolledregions, near to 1‰ however, during the first 5-yearperiod the prevalence tended to increase (p < 0.05),while a reverse trend was observed in the following5 years (p < 0.05). Baleares and Valencia showedthe highest rates, although Baleares showed adeclining trend. Canarias is the only region thatdisplays an increasing trend.CONCLUSIONS: HIV prevalence in newborns’ mothersremained steady during the 10-year period, butafter a phase of significant increase the tendencyhas reverted. Data presented in this paper showthe importance of monitoring HIV prevalenceamong women who give birth, and emphasise theneed of improving antenatal prophylaxis programmesto prevent mother-to-child transmission