Seroprevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV in pregnant women from Eastern Turkey

Özet

Background/Aims: The vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are essential public health problems. In this study, we aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of the aforementioned infectionsamong pregnant women.Materials and Methods: This study was done retrospectively on pregnant women who presented for antenatal follow-up and delivery between 2013 and 2016. Data were collected from the hospital’s electronic health records and patient files. Blood samples were analyzedat the microbiology laboratory of the hospital. HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV titers were tested using the chemiluminescenceenzyme immunoassay method (Architect, Abbott Laboratories, USA).Results: HBsAg and anti-HBs levels were tested in 35,295 pregnant women aged 18-45 years. The HBsAg and anti-HBs levels were positivein 425 (1.2%) and 9583 (27.7%) patients, respectively. From 2013 to 2016, the HBV carrier rates have continuously decreased from 1.4% to0.8%, whereas the anti-HBs positivity has increased from 25.4% to 30.2%. Anti-HCV was detected in 6 of the 9709 (0.06%) patients. Allthe 7113 pregnant women screened for HIV showed negative results.Conclusion: Hepatitis B carrier rates among pregnant women gradually decreased with a simultaneous increase in the immunity rates. HCVseroprevalence was low and HIV positivity was not encountered in the study population.