Hepatitis B Infection and Mother-to-Child Transmission in Haiphong, Vietnam: A Cohort Study with Implications for Interventions
BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
Authors: Khue, Pham Minh; Thuy Linh, Nguyen Thi; Vinh, Vu Hai; Dung, Luu Vu; Nguyen Van, Bang
Abstract
Background. There is little data available on HBV infection and mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) in Vietnam.Objective. This study is aimed at assessing the prevalence of HBV infection and the current situation of MTCT in Haiphong, Vietnam.Methods. A transversal survey of 1721 pregnant women followed by an observational prospective cohort study of 183 HBV-infected women was conducted at Haiphong Gyneco-Obstetric Hospital. Women were followed up up to 12-month postpartum; use of prevention measures and the MTCT rate were evaluated. HBV infection in children was defined by a HBsAg-positive test at 12 months of age.Results. At baseline, 183 of 1721 pregnant women (10.6%) tested HBsAg positive. Among them, 23.0% were HBeAg positive, 26.2% had a detectable load of HBV DNA, and 13.1% had a HBV DNA load >= 200,000 IU/mL. All women underwent MTCT prevention antiviral therapy. At delivery, 98.9% of newborns receive a HBV vaccine birth dose, and 82% received HBIG. At 12 months of age, 94.7% have received the scheduled HBV vaccines. Eight percent of infants born from followed-up women were HBsAg positive. The mother's HBeAg-positive status was associated with a higher risk of HBV infection in infants.Conclusion. The HBV prevalence and MTCT rates are high in Haiphong. A strong national plan to increase the access to preventive measures and to monitor results is needed in order to decrease this prevalence.
Ultrasensitive and fast detection of pathogens using Europium-containing polystyrene nanospheres in a homemade portable NMR diagnostic system
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
Authors: You, Xueqiu; Zhang, Dechao; Yao, Kaiwen; Huang, Yuqing; Liu, Min; Xie, Junyao; Shih, Tienmo; Sun, Huijun; Chen, Zhong
Abstract
The use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) platforms to detect biological samples via magnetic nanoparticles has shown great importance in clinical applications. In numerous studies, superparamagnetic nanoparticles, including ferromagnetic nanoparticles, have been adopted to improve the performance of magnetic nanoparticles. Here we developed a simple and novel europium (Eu)-containing polystyrene nanosphere (PS NS)based NMR system for rapid pathogen detection in clinical samples. Using this proposed portable NMR diagnostic system, we found that during pathogen detection, NPs with lower susceptibility (e.g., Eu-containing PS NSs) produced an unexpected detection effect compared with iron oxide NPs. Our Eu-containing PS NS-based NMR diagnostic system showed higher detection sensitivity, broader detection range, and higher stability than conventional iron oxide NP-based NMR platforms do. Using an inexpensive microcontact-printed Ag microcoil-based NMR probe, we demonstrated unprecedented detection sensitivity and speed with minimal sample preparation for pathogen analyses. The sample concentration of 0.2 ng/mL of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and 10 CFU/mL of Clostridium difficile can be attained by the NMR diagnostic system within 5 s, and concentration-detection ranges spanned over three orders of magnitude. With advantages of low-cost NMR probe, a portable instrument, and convenient operation, our proposed NMR platform may provide a promising point-of-care diagnostic system in clinical applications.