Maternal and neonatal seroprevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in Tripoli, Libya.

BACKGROUND Pregnant women with Hepatitis B virus HBV represent a major reservoir of the virus in the community. Data regarding the prevalence of HBV in pregnant women and maternal transmission of the virus in Libya are lacking. METHODOLOGY Hepatitis blood samples from 1,500 pregnant women and 1,500 cord blood samples of their neonates delivered at Tripoli Medical Center, Tripoli, were tested for HBsAg by ELISA technique. HBsAg-positive samples were also tested for HBeAg. RESULTS HBsAg was detected in 1.5% (23/1,500) pregnant women and in 0.9% (14/1,500) neonates. Although HBsAg was detected at higher rate in pregnant women aged > 25 years [1.8% (22/1,235)] than in pregnant women aged < 25 years [0.4% (1/265)], the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). All HBsAg-positive neonates were born to HBsAg-positive mothers with a rate of maternal transmission at 60.9% (14/23). HBeAg was detected in 21.7% (5/23) and in 7.1% (1/14) of HBsAg-positive pregnant women and neonates, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Because of the high risk of developing chronic HBV infection at birth among infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers, administration of HBIG in combination with hepatitis B vaccine as post-exposure prophylaxis for such infants is of paramount importance. In addition, universal HBsAg screening of all pregnant women will greatly assist in reducing the maternal transmission of HBV in the country.