Seroprevalence of maternal and neonatal antibodies to human immunodeficiency and hepatitis B viruses in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Seroprevalence of maternal and neonatal antibodies to human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) was determined in 320 Nigerian parturients through unlinked anonymous study. Five millilitres each of 640 blood samples from consecutive mother-neonatal pairs were screened for HIV antibodies using rapid test kit capillus HIV-1 and 2 at the time of delivery. Repeatedly reactive samples were confirmed by the double test algorithm using a second rapid test kit, immunocomb HIV-1 and -2 bispot test and then with immunocomb 11 HIV-1 and 2 combfirm. Screening for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was done using hepatitis B latex test kit, and repeatedly HBsAg reactive samples were confirmed positive using ELISA kits. The maternal seroprevalence for HIV antibodies and HBsAg were 2.5% and 2.2% respectively. The neonatal seroprevalence was 0.9%. The vertical transmission rates were 37.5% for HIV antibodies and 42.9% for HbsAg. None of the maternal and neonatal samples tested positive for both infections. Obstetric co-infection with HIV and HBV is a rare phenomenon in our parturients. However, as either occurs frequently, we recommend routine universal screening of pregnant women for both infections in our setting.


Key Words: Seroprevalence, maternal, neonatal, HIV, HBV, antibodies, Benin City, Nigeria


[Jnl Medicine & Biomedical Res. Vol.1(2) 2002: 32-38]