Evaluating vertical transmission of sexually transmitted infections to newborns

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections are among the most frequent infections affecting pregnant women. We assessed the transmission of hepatitis B virus, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and Treponema pallidum to newborns from infected parturients. Methodology: An observational, cross...

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Main Authors: Dinamene Oliveira, João Piedade, Rita Castro, Ângela Lopes, Maria do Rosário Martins, Filomena Pereira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 2021-10-01
Series:Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
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Online Access:https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/12731
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author Dinamene Oliveira
João Piedade
Rita Castro
Ângela Lopes
Maria do Rosário Martins
Filomena Pereira
author_facet Dinamene Oliveira
João Piedade
Rita Castro
Ângela Lopes
Maria do Rosário Martins
Filomena Pereira
author_sort Dinamene Oliveira
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections are among the most frequent infections affecting pregnant women. We assessed the transmission of hepatitis B virus, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and Treponema pallidum to newborns from infected parturients. Methodology: An observational, cross-sectional, analytical facility-based survey was conducted among 57 newborns in Irene Neto Maternity, Lubango city, Huíla province, Angola. Hepatitis B virus DNA molecular identification was done through nested PCR. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 proviral DNA detection was carried out by two successive nested PCRs. Real-time PCR was performed to examine the presence of T. pallidum DNA. Amplicons from PCR positive samples were sequenced for identity search and genotype assignment. Results: Hepatitis B virus DNA genotype E was detected in 3/41 (7.3%) newborns from HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) positive mothers. To analyse the association between mothers HBeAg (hepatitis B e antigen) positivity and hepatitis B virus vertical transmission to newborns, a Fisher's exact test was performed, showing a highly significant association (p = 0.006). Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 provirus or T. pallidum DNA was not detected in any newborn. Conclusions: To prevent hepatitis B virus vertical transmission in Angola it is important to promote universal antenatal screening, expanding hepatitis B virus markers (viral load and/or HBeAg), risk-based infected mothers’ antiviral therapy and newborn passive immunoprophylaxis.
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spelling doaj-art-86a6ac35fa5e4583b1369c1b04cf8fdd2025-08-20T02:14:20ZengThe Journal of Infection in Developing CountriesJournal of Infection in Developing Countries1972-26802021-10-01151010.3855/jidc.12731Evaluating vertical transmission of sexually transmitted infections to newbornsDinamene Oliveira0João Piedade1Rita Castro2Ângela Lopes3Maria do Rosário Martins4Filomena Pereira5Huíla Health Centre, Girassol Clinic, Lubango, Huíla, AngolaGlobal Health and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, PortugalGlobal Health and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, PortugalGlobal Health and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, PortugalGlobal Health and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, PortugalGlobal Health and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections are among the most frequent infections affecting pregnant women. We assessed the transmission of hepatitis B virus, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and Treponema pallidum to newborns from infected parturients. Methodology: An observational, cross-sectional, analytical facility-based survey was conducted among 57 newborns in Irene Neto Maternity, Lubango city, Huíla province, Angola. Hepatitis B virus DNA molecular identification was done through nested PCR. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 proviral DNA detection was carried out by two successive nested PCRs. Real-time PCR was performed to examine the presence of T. pallidum DNA. Amplicons from PCR positive samples were sequenced for identity search and genotype assignment. Results: Hepatitis B virus DNA genotype E was detected in 3/41 (7.3%) newborns from HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) positive mothers. To analyse the association between mothers HBeAg (hepatitis B e antigen) positivity and hepatitis B virus vertical transmission to newborns, a Fisher's exact test was performed, showing a highly significant association (p = 0.006). Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 provirus or T. pallidum DNA was not detected in any newborn. Conclusions: To prevent hepatitis B virus vertical transmission in Angola it is important to promote universal antenatal screening, expanding hepatitis B virus markers (viral load and/or HBeAg), risk-based infected mothers’ antiviral therapy and newborn passive immunoprophylaxis. https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/12731vertical transmissionHBVHIV-1Treponema pallidumnewbornsAngola
spellingShingle Dinamene Oliveira
João Piedade
Rita Castro
Ângela Lopes
Maria do Rosário Martins
Filomena Pereira
Evaluating vertical transmission of sexually transmitted infections to newborns
Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
vertical transmission
HBV
HIV-1
Treponema pallidum
newborns
Angola
title Evaluating vertical transmission of sexually transmitted infections to newborns
title_full Evaluating vertical transmission of sexually transmitted infections to newborns
title_fullStr Evaluating vertical transmission of sexually transmitted infections to newborns
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating vertical transmission of sexually transmitted infections to newborns
title_short Evaluating vertical transmission of sexually transmitted infections to newborns
title_sort evaluating vertical transmission of sexually transmitted infections to newborns
topic vertical transmission
HBV
HIV-1
Treponema pallidum
newborns
Angola
url https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/12731
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