Vertical transmission of HBV from mothers HBsAg positive, anti-HBe positive.

: Vertical transmission of HBV from HBsAg carrier mothers to their infants occurs frequently and very early in life. The HBsAg titer, the presence of HBeAg and acute HBV infection in the mother are usually considered facilitating factors; on the contrary anti-HBs and anti-HBe titer would be effectively protecting. However anti-HBc does not prevent HBsAg infection at all. In order to obtain information on the rate of HBV transmission in conditions considered at lower risk, we identified a group of pregnant women who were asymptomatic chronic HBsAg carriers and followed their children for several months after birth with clinical and laboratory examinations. All the 13 mothers were positive for HBsAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBc and negative for anti-HBs and HBeAg. All infants were controlled monthly in the first year of life and then at 16, 20, 24 months. The relatives controlled in the same period proved negative for HBV markers. All infants were negative for antigens at the birth and positive for anti-HBe and anti-HBc. These antibodies disappeared after 3-7 months after birth, indicating maternal transmission. All infants remained negative for HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBe and liver enzyme tests during the period of observation (24 months). These observations indicate that in our population the transmission of HBsAg from chronic carrier mothers to their children is not a frequent occurrence; probably the presence of anti-HBe has been protective.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)