Point-of-care screening for hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women at an antenatal clinic: A South African experience.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Elimination of HIV and syphilis mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) has received much attention but little consideration has been given to the possibility of elimination of HBV MTCT. In sub-Saharan Africa, HBV vertical transmission continues to be reported and it remains an important public health problem. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of screening pregnant women for HBV using a point-of-care (POC) test and implementing interventions to prevent HBV MTCT.

Methods

In this observational prospective cohort study, HIV-uninfected pregnant women who consented to testing were screened for HBV using a rapid POC test for HBsAg. Positive results were laboratory-confirmed and tested for HBV DNA and serological markers. Women with viral loads ≥ 20 000 IU/ml

SUBMITTER: Chotun N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5521792 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature