Objective: To explore the significance of intrauterine infection of hepatitis B virus in pregnant women with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) negative by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Methods: Twenty-four pregnant women with HBsAg and HBeAg negative but other HBV markers positive together with their infants were included as study group. Sixteen pregnant women with HBV marker negative and their infants were in the control group. HBV DNA in sera and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of two groups was detected by nested PCR respectively.
Results: (1) In the study group, the positive rates of HBV DNA of pregnant women were 33% (8/24) in the sera and 42% (10/24) in PBMCs. Three women were detected HBV DNA in both serum and PBMCs. The rate of HBV infection was 63% (15/24); (2) also in the study group, the positive rates of HBV DNA of the infants were 13% (3/24) in the sera and 25% (6/24) in PBMCs. One newborn was detected HBV DNA in both serum and PBMCs, the rate of intrauterine infection of HBV was 33% (8/24); (3) HBV DNA was detected in sera and/or in PBMCs from four newborns of pregnant women with HBV DNA positive only in PBMCs, the positive ratio was 4/7.
Conclusions: HBV intrauterine infection is possible in pregnant women with HBsAg and HBeAg negative. Detecting HBV-DNA in sera and PBMCs of pregnant women and their newborns by PCR is important clinical significance.