Prevalence and risk factors of transmission of hepatitis delta virus in pregnant women in the Center Region of Cameroon.
PLoS One
; 19(6): e0287491, 2024.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38900729
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) co-infection has been described as the most severe form of viral hepatitis, and can be co-transmitted from mother-to-child. A seroprevalence of 4.0% of HDV infection was reported in pregnant women in Yaoundé, and 11.9% in the general population in Cameroon. Our objective was to describe the rate of HDV infection in HBsAg-positive pregnant women and to determine risk factors associated with mother-to-child transmission of HDV. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted from January 2019 to July 2022 among pregnant women attending antenatal contacts in seven health structures in the Centre Region of Cameroon. A consecutive sampling (non-probability sampling) was used to select only pregnant women of age over 21 years, who gave a written informed consent. Following an informed consent, an open-ended questionnaire was used for a Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) survey of these women, and their blood specimens collected and screened for HBsAg, anti-HIV and anti-HCV antibodies by rapid tests and ELISA. HBsAg-positive samples were further screened for HBeAg, anti-HDV, anti-HBs, and anti HBc antibodies by ELISA, and plasma HDV RNA load measured by RT-qPCR.RESULTS:
Of 1992 pregnant women, a rate of 6.7% of HBsAg (133/1992) with highest rate in the rural areas, and 3.9% of hepatitis vaccination rate were recorded. Of 130, 42 (32.3%) were anti-HDV antibody-positive, and 47.6% had detectable HDV RNA viraemia. Of 44 anti-HDV-positive cases, 2 (4.5%) were co-infected with HBV and HCV, while 5 (11.4%) with HIV and HBV. Multiple pregnancies, the presence of tattoos and/or scarifications were significantly associated with the presence of anti-HDV antibodies. Of note, 80% of women with negative HBeAg and positive anti-HBe serological profile, had plasma HDV RNA load of more than log 3.25 (>10.000 copies/ml).CONCLUSION:
These results show an intermediate rate of HDV infection among pregnant women with high level of HDV RNA viremia, which suggest an increased risk of vertical and horizontal co-transmission of HDV.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
/
Hepatitis D
/
Hepatitis Delta Virus
/
Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
En
Journal:
PLoS One
Journal subject:
CIENCIA
/
MEDICINA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Camerún
Country of publication:
Estados Unidos