Relationship between Maternal PBMC HBV cccDNA and HBV Serological Markers and its Effect on HBV Intrauterine Transmission

Objective To investigate the relationship between maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) hepatitis B virus(HBV) covalenty closed circular deoxyribonucleic acid(cccDNA) and other HBV serological markers and its effects on HBV intrauterine transmission. Methods We enrolled 290 newborns and their hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg) positive mothers. HBV cccDNA in PBMC and HBV DNA in serum were detected by a real‐time PCR‐TaqM an probe while HBV serological markers were detected with an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Results There was a positive correlation between the levels of PBMC HBV cccD NA and serum HBV DNA and HBeA g(r = 0.436 and 0.403, P < 0.001). The detection rate of pattern A [‘HBsA g(+), HBeA g(+), and anti‐HBc(+)’] was significantly higher in the PBMC HBV cccD NA positive group than in the control group(χ^2 = 48.48, P < 0.001). There was a significant association between HBV intrauterine transmission and PBMC HBV cccD NA(χ^2 = 9.28, P = 0.002). In the presence of serum HBV DNA, HBeA g, and PBMC HBV cccD NA, the risk of HBV intrauterine transmission was three times higher(OR = 3.69, 95% CI: 1.30‐10.42) than that observed in their absence. The risk of HBV intrauterine transmission was the greatest(OR = 5.89, 95% CI: 2.35‐14.72) when both PBMC HBV cccD NA and pattern A were present. A Bayesian network model showed that maternal PBMC HBV cccD NA was directly related to HBV intrauterine transmission. Conclusion PBMC HBV cccDNA may be a direct risk factor for HBV intrauterine transmission. Our study suggests that serological markers could be combined with PBMC‐related markers in prenatal testing.