Mother-to-Child Transmission of Human Papillomavirus in Burkina Faso

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most widespread sexually transmitted infection in the world. Today, there is growing evidence that HPV can be transmitted early in life, and one potential route is mother-to-child transmission. Data on this route of HPV transmission are scarce in Africa and particularly in Burkina Faso, where no data on the subject are yet available. The aim of our study was to estimate the rate of mother-to-child transmission of HPV infection and to identify circulating genotypes. Methodology: Cervico-uterine samples were collected from 100 full-term pregnant women and, buccal samples were obtained from their newborns at Hopital Saint Camille de Ouagadougou (HOSCO) by the specialist physician. HPV DNA amplification and genotyping were performed by PCR followed by hybridization using the HPV Direct Flow Chips kit, detecting 36 genotypes including 18 high-risk and 18 low-risk. Results: The prevalence of HPV in newborns was 8% (8/100). Six (6) HPV-positive neonates had HPV-positive mothers, while 2 HPV-positive neonates had HPV-negative mothers. The vertical transmission rate was 26.09% (6/23). Mother-newborn genotypes were concordant. However, the genotype profile of the newborns was more restricted than that of the mothers. Conclusion: HPV DNA was found in 8% of newborns in our study. The genotype profile of the mother-newborn pair was concordant. Asymptomatic HPV infection in a pregnant woman could constitute a risk factor for vertical transmission.

A meta-analysis of lamivudine for interruption of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus

AIM： To determine the therapeutic effect of lamivu- dine in late pregnancy for the interruption of motherto-child transmission （MTCT） of hepatitis B virus （HBV）. METHODS： Studies were identified by searching available databases up to January 2011. Inclusive criteria were HBV-carrier mothers who had been involved in randomized controlled clinical trials （RCTs） with lamivudine treatment in late pregnancy, and newborns or infants whose serum hepatitis B surface antigen （HBsAg）, hepatitis B e antigen （HBeAg） or HBV DNA had been documented. The relative risks （RRs） for inerruption of MTCT as indicated by HBsAg, HBV DNA or HBeAg of newborns or infants were calculated with 95% confidence interval （CI） to estimate the efficacy of lamivudine treatment. RESULTS： Fifteen RCTs including 1693 HBV-carrier mothers were included in this meta-analysis. The overall RR was 0.43 （95% CI, 0.25-0.76; 8 RCTs; Phet- erogeneity= 0.04） and 0.33 （95% CI, 0.23-0.47; 6 RCTs; Pheterogeneity = 0.93） indicated by newborn HBsAg or HBV DNA. The RR was 0.33 （95% CI, 0.21-0.50; 6 RCTs; Pheterogeneity = 0.46） and 0.32 （95% CI, 0.20-0.50; 4 RCTs; Pheterogeneity = 0.33） indicated by serum HBsAg or HBV DNA of infants 6-12 mo after birth. The RR （lamivudine vs hepatitis B immunoglobulin） was 0.27 （95% CI, 0.16-0.46; 5 RCTs; Pheterogeneity = 0.94） and 0.24 （95% CI, 0.07-0.79; 3 RCTs; Pheterogeneity = 0.60） indicated by newborn HBsAg or HBV DNA, respectively. In the mothers with viral load 〈 106 copies/mL after lamivudine treatment, the efficacy （RR, 95% CI） was 0.33, 0.21-0.53 （5 RCTs; Pheterogeneity = 0.82） for the interruption of MTCT, however, this value was not significant if maternal viral load was 〉 106 copies/mL after lamivudine treatment （P = 0.45, 2 RCTs）, as indicated by newborn serum HBsAg. The RR （lamivudine initiated from 28 wk of gestation vs control） was 0.34 （95% CI, 0.22-0.52; 7 RCTs; Pheterogeneity = 0.92） and 0.33 （95% CI, 0.22-0.50; 5 RCTs; Pheterogeneity = 0.86） indicated by newborn HBsAg or HBV DNA. The incidence of adverse effects of lamivudine was not higher in the mothers than in controls （P = 0.97）. Only one study reported side effects of lamivudine in newborns. CONCLUSION： Lamivudine treatment in HBV carrier- mothers from 28 wk of gestation may interrupt MTCT of HBV efficiently. Lamivudine is safe and more efficient than hepatitis B immunoglobulin in interrupting MTCT. HBV MTCT might be interrupted efficiently if maternal viral load is reduced to 〈 106 copies/mL by lamivudine treatment.

Eliminating Mother-to-Child Transmission of Syphilis: Chinese Practice before and during COVID-19 Pandemics

Mother-to-child transmission(MTCT)of syphilis remains a leading cause of stillbirth and death among neonates in many developing countries.In 2007,World Health Orgernization launched the global elimination of MTCT(EMTCT)of syphilis.Given the high burden of congenital syphilis,China subsequently released the specific national EMTCT policies and programs to reduce MTCT of syphilis.The congenital syphilis incidence rate per 100,000 live births in China has markedly decreased from 69.9 in 2013 to 11.9 in 2019.However,due to the global pandemic of COVID-19,the current measures for eliminating MTCT of syphilis are greatly challenged.In this article,we summarize the strategies and measures for the EMTCT of syphilis in China in the past 20 years,the remarkable achievements by the policy support under the leadership of the government.In the context of COVID-19 pandemics,strengthening emergency response to the regional outbreaks of COVID-19,adopting safe,rapid,early and high-quality clinical care for 100%of pregnant women to receive prenatal syphilis testing services,ensuring the availability of Benzathine penicillin for the treatment,and strengthening the closed-loop management of pregnant women and newborns infected with syphilis are the key measures to determine the effectiveness of MTCT for syphilis.Lessons from China may be valuable for other countries that are planning to eliminate MTCT of syphilis.

Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV: Experience of a Level 2 Health Center in Senegal

The elimination of vertical transmission of HIV from mother to child is a major global goal. In Senegal, the transmission rate was estimated at 3.2% in 2017. To reduce or even eliminate this transmission, Senegal has implemented various strategies and programs adopted and applied nationally. Thus access to services for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV has been extended to the level of the health post (the lowest level of the country’s health pyramid) with a delegation of tasks to paramedical staff (nurse, midwife) in the diagnosis and therapeutic management. Objectives: To describe the epidemiological profile of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)-positive mothers, to assess the care of children born to HIV-positive mothers, to determine the rate of HIV transmission from mother to child. Patients and Method: We carried out a retrospective, cross-sectional and descriptive study of all live newborns of HIV-positive mothers who gave birth at the Gaspard Kamara Health Center (a level 2 health center in Dakar, Senegal) between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2018. The data were collected from prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) prenatal follow-up registers and files, delivery files and registers, and neonatology and pediatric follow-up files, and exploited using the Epi info 7 software. Results: There were 98 children of seropositive mothers. The epidemiological profile of the HIV-positive woman was that of a young woman aged between 16 and 43 with an average of 31.31 years, pauciparous (>65% of cases) from Dakar center (>75% of cases), housewife with a low socio-economic level (63.1% of cases), married in almost all cases, with HIV profile (in almost all cases) and diagnosed before pregnancy (51.02%). The analysis of the children’s data revealed a predominance of girls (52.04%) with a good birth weight (2964g on average) and a pregnancy carried to term in more than 95% of cases. ARV prophylaxis was almost entirely respected with triple therapy (AZT + 3TC + NVP) in a fixed combination as protocol. Protected breastfeeding (80.21%), including 6 months of exclusive protected breastfeeding, was the rule for the mode of feeding. Three children were diagnosed positive with PCR1 as with serology (3.06%). Discussion and Conclusion: the initiatives and strategies put in place in Senegal have enabled a significant reduction in mother-to-child transmission of HIV and deserve to be supported by insisting on primary prevention, programming and good follow-up of pregnancies, and a good support for HIV-positive women.

Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS during Pregnancy and Delivery and Associated Factors in the Region of Couffo in Benin

Evaluation of the effectiveness of the mother-to-child HIV Prevention Program, in Benin in 2016 reported a national rate of 6.7%. The Region of Couffo, within 12 Regions (departments) in the country, had the highest rate of transmission, which was 16.1%. The study aimed to determine transmission rate during pregnancy and delivery as well as the factors associated with it. This is a retrospective and analytical study based on a sample of seventy (70) babies born to HIV-infected mothers in 2016 in Couffo. Key findings showed, there is a perinatal transmission of five percent (5%) and the factors associated with this transmission are: delay in carrying out first antenatal visits at the health facility, low frequency of visits performed versus number requested and appropriate time, poor health condition of mothers during pregnancy, absence or late start of antiretroviral care and treatment during pregnancy, irregular intake of intermittent presumptive treatment at sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine to prevent malaria, a short antiretroviral therapy (less than three months) for mothers before delivery and the default in cleaning mother’s genital tract with betadine after the woman’s water broke.

Status Report on the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (EMCT) of HIV at the Pikine National Hospital Center (CHNP), Dakar/Senegal

Introduction: For several years, the fight against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been a major public health issue in Africa. Since 2012, Senegal has adopted WHO option B+, consisting of systematic triple therapy for HIV-positive pregnant women, combined with breastfeeding and antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis for exposed newborns. It is in this dynamic that we set ourselves the objectives of evaluating the rate of transmission of HIV from mother to child and taking stock of the monitoring of children born to HIV-positive mothers at the Pediatric Department of the CHN of Pikine located in the Dakar suburbs. Methodology: Thus, we conducted a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional cohort follow-up study from 11/25/2014 to 03/09/2022 including all children born to HIV-positive mothers followed at the Pikine CHN since the start of care. Results: We had collected 51 children exposed to HIV and followed in our structure. They were exposed to HIV1 in 92% of cases. The HIV status of the mothers was known before pregnancy in more than half of the cases. The couples were serodiscordant in 56% of cases. The mothers were in clinical stage 1 of the disease in 69.6% of cases and were already under treatment in 47% of cases. The most used treatment regimen was ATRIPLA with Tenofovir (TDF) + Emtracitabine (FTC) + Efavirenz (EFV) in 59% of cases. Compliance was good in the majority of cases. The CD4 count during pregnancy was low in 10.6% of cases. The pregnancy was well followed in only 36.2% of cases. The mothers had given birth in our structure in 91.4% of cases. The vaginal route was found in 72.5% of cases and delivery was carried out by a midwife in 69.4% of cases. The average birth weight was 2733 ± 564. The majority of newborns had received antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis after birth, half of them between 12 and 24 hours. The most used therapeutic protocol was Zidovudine (AZT) + Lamivudine (3TC) + Lopinavir/Ritonavir (LPV/r). Protected breastfeeding was the option chosen in 76.8% of cases. The PCR performed at 6 weeks was negative in more than half of the cases. Retroviral serology was carried out after 14 months in 43% of cases. We noted a single positive case with a negative initial PCR, representing an overall transmission rate of 1.96%. Conclusion: Senegal’s current policy targeting EMTCT of HIV is on good momentum with a fairly low transmission rate thanks to screening of pregnant women and prophylaxis with antiretrovirals (ARV) for HIV-positive mothers during pregnancy and for life. And children exposed from birth and during breastfeeding up to 6 weeks with regular monitoring.

Estimating the Health and Economic Outcomes of the Prevention of Mother-to-child Transmission of HIV Using a Decision Tree Model

In 2016, there were 17.8 million (15.4-20.3 million) women living with HIV/AIDS across the world and the prevalence of reproductive desire among this group was 26%-49%[1]. If pregnant women living with HIV/AIDS are left untreated, the rates of HIV transmission from mother-to-child would range from 14% to 48%, depending on the presence and duration of breastfeeding[2].

Examine a dynamic of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the population-based surveys

The main source of HIV infection in young children is of their mothers, during pregnancy, labor and delivery, or by breastfeeding. The rate of HIV transmission from infected mothers to their newborn children varies from 15% to 40% with one-thirds of these infections was through breastfeeding. This paper examines cross-sectional population-based survey data of HIV test results among mothers and their children in Uganda, Swaziland to estimates of mother-to- child transmission (MTCT) rate of HIV infection. The prevalence of HIV among women aged 15 - 49 who gave birth in the past 5 years in Uganda is 7.3%, and in Swaziland is 37.9%. The HIV prevalence of children who mothers were HIV positive were very similar: 10.3% in Uganda and 11.5% in Swaziland. This association represents the crude rate of MTCT in these two countries at the time of the survey. Presence of HIV antibody in early age (0 - 11 months) is due to both true infection and passive antibody from mothers. The seroconversion dropped nearly half in the second year of age which was likely that many of these children died before reaching the age of 12 - 23 months and passive antibody were gradually cleared at this point. This analysis demonstrated that cross-sectional data can be used to estimate indirectly the magnitude and dynamic of MTCT.

A survey of awareness and knowledge of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in pregnant women attending Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria

Objective: To determine the knowledge and awareness of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) among women attending the antenatal clinic. Methods and Subjects: This was primarily a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out at the antenatal clinic of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Nigeria from July 1st, 2010 to October 31st, 2010. Results: The age range of the respondents was 18 - 41 years, (mean 29 ± 5 years). One hundred and forty-nine (92.5%) were married. All the respondents interviewed were aware of HIV/AIDS and 93 (57.8%) had been aware of the disease for ≥5 years. The main sources of information were television 93 (57.8%), radio 77 (47.8%), health workers 53 (32.9%), friends, relatives and neighbors 41 (25.5%) and posters 34 (21.1%). Majority of the respondents identified sexual intercourse as a route of transmission of HIV. Sharing of sharp objects and blood transfusion were identified as routes of transmission by 99 (61.5%) and 82 (50.9%) respectively. One hundred and sixteen (72%) of the respondents knew an apparently healthy person could be living with HIV. Majority of the respondents 125 (77.6%) were aware that HIV can coexist with pregnancy and 120 (74.5%) were aware of MTCT of HIV. Vaginal delivery and breastfeeding were identified as routes of HIV transmission by 44 (27.3%) and 53 (32.9%) of respondents respectively. Delivery by caesarean section was identified as a method of prevention of MTCT by 25 (15.5%) respondents while as many as 48 (29.8%) respondents did not know any method of prevention of MTCT of HIV. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a low level of awareness of methods of prevention of MTCT of HIV among pregnant women booking for antenatal care in our center. Thus, there is the need for adequate counseling about HIV/AIDS and specific aspects of prevention of mother-to-child transmission in our antenatal clinics.

Missed Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) Visits and Associated Programmatic Predictors: A Pilot Study

Missed Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) visits have contributed to the delayed achievement of elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Missed visits promote attrition from prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV program and antiretroviral drug resistance. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of missed PMTCT visits and its associated predictors. A descriptive cross sectional survey was carried out at a District Hospital in Goromonzi, Zimbabwe. Fifty-three women completed closed-ended questionnaires pertaining to PMTCT visits and exposure to PMTCT activities. A total of 24.5% missed at least one scheduled PMTCT visit. Statistically significant predictors of not missing a PMTCT visit were satisfaction with family support (β = −0.73, p = 0.029) and level of satisfaction with PMTCT services (β = −0.00076;p = 0.04). The number of days by which scheduled visits were missed were inversely correlated with visit number (β = −2.99, p = 0.04). Enhanced family support and quality improvement to improve patient satisfaction may reduce missed visits. Availing women with a more active role in PMTCT may also reduce the prevalence of missed visits.

Factors Associated with Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV at the Maternity Unit of the Castors Urban Health Center in Bangui

Introduction: In spite of significant progress towards eliminating mother-to-child transmission (MCT) of HIV by 2025, trends in vertical mother-to-child transmission are still worrying in sub-Saharan African countries. This study aims to take stock of the factors associated with HIV MCT at the level of peripheral health training. Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical retrospective study, over a five-year period from January 1st, 2017 to December 31st, 2021. The study population was represented by HIV-positive women and their cared infants in the Parent-Child Transmission Prevention Unit (PCTP) of the Castors Urban Health Center (CUHC). Results: 288 medical records were selected out of a total of 347 HIV-positive mothers followed. HIV seroprevalence in the population of women who received PreNatal Consultation (PNC) during the study period was 8.2%. The HIV MCT rate was 3.7%. HIV+ mothers followed were mostly young (average age of 28), not living in a couple (96.9%), poorly educated (58.7%) and not engaged in income-generating activity (58.4%). They had all received triple therapy and the period of initiation of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy was in the majority of cases during the first trimester. Factors associated with MCT were: primiparity (OR = 18.4 [5.55 - 61.05];Khi2 = 32.61;p < 0.001), late discovery of infection during large or after childbirth (OR = 0.03 [0.007 - 0.10];Khi2 = 55.22;p < 0.001), WHO Clinical Stage 2 and 3 (OR = 0.007 [0.001 - 0.03];Khi2 = 108.73;p < 0.001), CD4 count 200/mm3 (OR = 14.12 [4.03 - 57.20];Khi2 = 21.68;p < 0.001), viral load > 1000 copies/mm3 (OR = 8.85 [2.33 - 43.20];Khi2 = 10.46;p = 0.001), prolonged labor (OR = 12.33 [3.45 - 57.25];Khi2 = 18.47;p < 0.001), premature rupture of membranes (OR = 24.03 [6.97 - 96.01];Khi2 = 40.60;p 2 = 5.96;p = 0.014), and artificial or mixed breastfeeding (OR = 0.01 [0.002 - 0.043];Khi2 = 97.65;p Conclusion: Taking into account the risk factors for PCTP is essential if we want to achieve the goal of “Zero New Infections in Children by the year 2025”.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid-Polymerase Chain Reaction Status of HIV Exposed Infants in a Sub Regional Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV Programme during the Period 2009-2020

Introduction: Transitioning to more efficacious Antiretrovirals for HIV infected pregnant women and infant prophylaxis has reduced Mother to child transmission of HIV significantly. This study aimed to determine HIV infection status in HIVexposed infants who had their first DNA polymerase chain reaction test in our molecular Laboratory. Subjects, Materials and Methods: Dried Blood Spots for HIV DNA results from 5 states between 2009 and 2020 were analyzed in the PCR laboratory of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe. Results: Nine thousand eight hundred and twenty-three Human Immunodeficiency Virus Deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase Chain Reaction results were analysed;4937 (50.2%) were males. During the study period, there was an overall declining trend in the mother-to-child transmission rate from 3.8% in 2009 to 1.0% in 2020. 6120 (62.3%) of HIV + mothers received Highly active antiretroviral therapy HAART before pregnancy. 7845 (76.2%) of the infants received Nevirapine prophylaxis. Dried blood spot samples were collected from 4077 (41.5%) at 6 - 8 weeks. 8438 (85.9%) received cotrimoxazole. 9469 (96.4%) were ever breastfed. Of the 9823 HIV DNA PCR results, 255 (2.6%) were positive while 69/4077 (1.7%) and 109/2662 (4.1%) were positive for HIV DNA at 6 - 8 weeks and > 12 weeks respectively. (p = 0.001). 86/747 (11.5%) of infants whose HIV-positive mothers received no ARVS were HIV DNA positive. (p = 0.001). 106/884 (12.0%) of infants who had no Antiretroviral prophylaxis had positive HIV DNA results;7/413 (1.7%) with Zidovudine/Nevirapine prophylaxis had positive results. (p = 0.001). 246/9469 (2.6%) of infants that were ever breastfed were positive for HIV DNA;11/354 (3.0%) that never breastfed had positive HIV DNA. Conclusion: Lack of maternal/infant ARVs and prolonged breastfeeding increased the risk of infant HIV infection.

Chinese Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus(Version 2024)

The Chinese Clinical Practice Guidelines for the prevention and treatment ofmother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus,developed by the Chinese Society of Infectious Diseases of the Chinese Medical Association in 2019,serves as a valuable reference for standardizing the process of preventing mother-to-child transmission in China.As new evidence emerges,it is crucial that timely and regular updates are made to the clinical practice guidelines so as to optimize guidance for clinical practice and research.To this end,the Infectious Disease Physician Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association and the Chinese Society of Infectious Diseases of Chinese Medical Association,in collaboration with multidisciplinary experts,have updated the guidelines based on the latest domestic and international research advancements and clinical practice,in order to provide guidance and reference for clinicians andmaternal and child healthcare workers.

Chinese Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Mother-to-child Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus(Version 2024)

The Chinese Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Mother-to-child Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus,developed by the Chinese Society of Infectious Diseases of the Chinese Medical Association in 2019,serves as a valuable reference for standardizing the prevention of mother-to-child transmission in China.As new evidence continues to emerge,it is essential to update these guidelines regularly to optimize clinical practice and research.To this end,the Infectious Disease Physician Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association and the Chinese Society of Infectious Diseases of the Chinese Medical Association,in collaboration with multidisciplinary experts,have updated the guidelines based on the latest domestic and international research advancements and clinical practices,providing upto-date guidance for clinicians and maternal and child healthcare workers.

A Real-world Prospective Study of Mother-to-child Transmission of HBV in China Using a Mobile Health Application (Shield 01)

Background and Aims:The World Health Organization(WHO)Western Pacific Region set a target of eliminating mother-to-child transmission(MTCT)of hepatitis B virus(HBV)by 2030.To assess the feasibility of this target in China,we carried out an epidemiological study to investigate the status quo of MTCT in the real-world setting.Methods:One thousand and eight hepatitis B surface antigen-positive preg-nant women were enrolled at 10 hospitals.Immunoprophy-laxis was administered to infants.In addition,mothers with HBV DNA level>2,000,000 IU/mL were advised to initiate antiviral therapy during late pregnancy.A health application called SHIELD was used to manage the study.Results:Nine hundred and five of the enrolled mothers,with 924 infants,completed the follow-up.Birth-dose hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin were received by 99.7%and 99.7%of infants,respectively,within 24 h after birth.There ;were 446 mothers who received antiviral therapy,including 72.3%of the mothers with HBV DNA level>2,000,000 IU/mL and 21.0%of the mothers with HBV DNA level<2,000,000 IU/mL.Eight infants were infected with HBV.The overall rate of MTCT was 0.9%.Birth defects were rare(0.5%among in-fants with maternal antiviral exposure versus 0.7%among infants without exposure;p=1.00).Conclusions:The MTCT rate was lower than the WHO Western Pacific Region elimina-tion MTCT target in this real-world study,indicating that a comprehensive management composed of immunoprophy-laxis to infants and antiviral prophylaxis to mothers may be a feasible strategy to achieve the 2030 WHO elimination goal.

2019 Chinese Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention of Mother-to-child Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus

To develop the evidence-based guidelines for managing mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus in China, a multidisciplinary guideline development group was estab-lished. Clinical questions were identified from two rounds of surveys on the concerns of first-line clinicians. We conducted a comprehensive search and review of the literature. A grading of recommendations' assessment, development, and evaluation system was adopted to rate the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations. Recommen-dations were formulated based on the evidence, overall balance of benefits and harms (at individual and population levels), patient/health worker values and preferences, re-sources available, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility. Even-tually, recommendations related to 13 main clinical concerns were developed, covering diagnostic criteria, treatment in-dications, antiviral therapy choice, timing to initiate and discontinue treatment, immunoprophylaxis strategy at birth, and how to deal with special situations, such as unintended pregnancy, assisted reproduction, and breastfeeding. The guidelines are intended to serve as guidance for clinicians and patients, to optimize the management of majority of pregnant women who are positive for hepatitis B surface antigen. Guideline registration: International Practice Guide Registration Platform (IPGRP-2018CN040).

A Mother-to-Child Transmission Study in Nigeria:The Impact of Maternal HIV Infection and HAART on Plasma Immunoglobulins,Cytokine Profiles and Infant Outcome

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission(PMTCT)of HIV with highly active antiretroviral therapy(HARRT)allows the HIV^+pregnant mothers to have vaginal delivery and breastfeed.Here we investigated the maternal plasma immunoglobulin,cytokine secretion and the outcome of the exposed infants among the HIV^+HAART treated pregnan women in Nigeria.In this study,different plasma immunoglobulins and cytokines were measured in the HIV^+HAART treated pregnant mothers.Pooled culture supernatants of B and T lymphocytes showed lower levels of IFN-γ,IL-10 and IL-4.There were lower IFN-γand IL-10 secretions at 1st trimester;however,IL-10 continued to be lower throughout 2nd and 3rd trimesters.TNF-αsecretion significantly decreased as pregnancy progressed to term.There were high plasma IgG and low IgM in the HIV^+HAART treated pregnant women.Plasma IgG was high during 1st and 3rd trimesters.After one year of follow up,all the exposed children were seronegative for HIV-1 and HIV-2.Vaginal delivery and breastfeeding among HIV^+HAART treated mothers have shown to be safe.The use of HAART by the infected mothers and the use of septrin and niverapin by the exposed infants prevented mother to-child transmission of HIV.

Management Algorithm for Prevention of Mother-to-child Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus(2022)

The World Health Organization(WHO)has set the goal of eliminating hepatitis as a threat to public health by 2030.Blocking mother-to-child transmission(MTCT)of hepatitis B virus(HBV)is not only the key to eliminating viral hepatitis,but also a hot issue in the field of hepatitis B prevention and treatment.To standardize the clinical management of preventing MTCT of HBV and achieve zero HBV infection among infants,the Chinese Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control organized experts to compile a management algorithm for prevention of MTCT of HBV based on the latest research progress and guidelines,including 10 steps of pregnancy management and postpartum follow-up,among which screening,antiviral treatment,and infant immunization are its core components.

Progress of mother-to-child transmission of HIV programs in China：successes, challenges and way forward

HIV still remains a global public health problem despite decades of interventions to eliminate the virus.In 2010,there were 390 000 children globally,under 15 years old,newly infected with HIV,mainly through mother-to-child transmission.1 China had 780 000 HIV infected people at the end of 2011,of these,28.6% were women and 1.1% were children infected through mother-to-child transmission.2 The first case of mother-to-child transmission （MTCT） of HIV in China was reported in 1995.3 Few years later,the proportion of MTCT in China increased from 0.1% in 1997 to 0.4% in 2002.4 The Ministry of Health in China in conjunction with the Central for Maternal and Child Healthcare and the Chinese Centre for Disease Control launched prevention of mother-child transmission of HIV （PMTCT） programs in China in 2003.The programs were launched in five provinces with high prevalence of HIV namely,Henan,Guangdong,Yunnan,Guangxi and Xinjiang.

Strategies to Prevent Mother-to-child Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus

Mother-to-child transmission(MTCT)of hepatitis B virus(HBV)is the primary cause of chronic HBV infection worldwide.MTCT prevention and antiviral treatment of infected individuals could eliminate this public health burden.Antiviral treatment of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)-positive pregnant women and immunoprophylaxis with HBV vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin are the most effective strategies to interfere with MTCT of HBV.However,for worldwide application of those strategies,feasibility,availability,cost,safety,and effectiveness should be considered.Cesarean section and breastfeeding avoidance in hepatitis B e antigenpositive mothers with a high viral load and without antiviral therapy during pregnancy could be an option,but more supporting evidence is needed.HBsAg screening of all pregnant women is recommended when initiating antiviral therapy and immunoprophylaxis for MTCT prevention,except in areas with limited resources.Timely HBV vaccination series administered soon after birth might be the mainstay of prevention.This review aimed to provide a concise update on the effectiveness of available strategies to prevent MTCT of HBV.