Abstract

LIZARZABAL, Maribel; MARQUEZ, Angelina  and  GOMEZ, María. Marcadores serológicos de hepatitis B y C en embarazadas del estado Zulia, Venezuela. Gen [online]. 2010, vol.64, n.1, pp.19-20. ISSN 0016-3503.

In order to design adequate vaccination programs it is necessary to known the Hepatitis B and C virus infection prevalence among pregnant women. Given our poor regional data, we conducted a prospective study for HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs y anti-HCV seropositivity. Materials And Methods: Serological samples from 3.588 pregnant women no matter gestational age, referred to the Pre-birth Control Consult at the Regional System of Health in Zulia State, between January 2007 and December 2008. Samples were processed by ELISA (TecnoSuma). Positive cases were referred to the Hepatology consult at the Maracaibo University Hospital. Results: HBsAg prevalence was 0.08% (3 cases). We found 1, 92% prevalence (69 cases) for HBsAg (-), antiHBc(+), AntiHBs(+), indicator of adequate seroconversion. Five cases (0, 13%) were reported as HBsAg (-), antiHBc(+), AntiHBs(-). Most women had not contact with HB virus but 260 cases (7, 24%) had received the vaccine and they had other negative markers. Hepatitis B prevalence was 2,1% and Hepatitis C prevalence was 0,44% (16 cases). Conclusion: Despite low prevalence, mothers HBsAg+ have great risk to infection vertical transmission to their child and they will be beneficiated from the HBV screening in order to receive immediate active and passive immunization after delivery

Keywords : HVB; HCV; hepatitis; pregnant; prevalence.