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BACKGROUND: The administration of hepatitis B immunoglobulin followed by hepatitis B vaccine can result in a protective efficacy of almost 90% in mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, little is known about immunity against HBV infection in children after immunoprophylactic treatment. We tried to assess the association between T-cell responses and viremia in children after successful prophylactic treatment. METHODS: Thirteen children and their 8 HBV carrier mothers (8 families), who were positive for human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A24, were enrolled in this study. All of the 13 children received immunoprophylactic treatment and became negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) after birth. HBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses were evaluated using IFNgamma - enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) and major histocompatibility complex class I peptide pentamer assays. Serum HBV DNA was measured by real-time PCR. RESULTS: Significant HBV-specific T-cell responses were detected in 2 (15%) of the 13 children by ELISPOT. However, the frequency of HLA-A24-HBV-specific CTLs was very low in both HBV carrier mothers and children using pentamers. Of the 13 children, 4 (31%) were positive for serum HBV DNA. However, the levels of serum HBV DNA were 100 copies/ml or less. One of the 2 children in whom significant HBV-specific CTL responses were detectable was positive for serum HBV DNA. CONCLUSIONS: HBV core and polymerase-specific T-cell responses were detected and a low-dose viremia was observed in children after successful immunoprophylaxis treatment. Although the presence of viremia was not related to HBV-specific T-cell responses, CTLs might play a role in the control of HBV infection in children born to HBsAg-positive mothers after immunoprophylactic treatment.

Original publication

DOI

10.1186/1471-2334-10-103

Type

Journal article

Journal

BMC Infect Dis

Publication Date

28/04/2010

Volume

10

Keywords

Adolescent, Adult, Child, Child, Preschool, DNA, Viral, Female, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis B Antibodies, Hepatitis B Vaccines, Hepatitis B virus, Histocompatibility Antigens Class I, Humans, Immunity, Cellular, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical, Interferon-gamma, Male, Middle Aged, Serum, T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic, Viremia, Young Adult