Understanding the influence of cytokines in intrauterine hepatitis B transmission: A cross-sectional study in China

• Published in: Cytokine (Philadelphia, Pa.) Vol. 181; p. 156670
• Main Authors: Yuan, Xiaojie, Shao, Yuzhang, Huang, Rui, Seery, Samuel, Wang, Hairong, Hu, Ni, Wen, Leji, Lin, Xin, Zhang, Lei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2024
• Subjects: HBV DNA; Hepatitis B virus; IFN-γ; Intrauterine transmission; TLR9; OBT; OR; IL; RCS; CI; HBsAg; PLS-DA; PERMANOVA; Intrauterine transmission; SD; IFN-γ; Th; ANOVA; DBT; TFh; HBV DNA; TLR9; NIT; Hepatitis B virus; HBV
• ISSN: 1043-4666; 1096-0023; 1096-0023
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2024.156670

Cytokines may related to intrauterine Hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission. 205 HBsAg(+) pregnant cases and 74 HBsAg(−) women were included. Neonatal blood samples were taken within 24 h of delivery and before HBV vaccinations. Serological HBV biomarkers and cytokines were detected. 21.9 % of the newborns from HBsAg(+) women were intrauterinally transmitted, including 7.3 % with dominant transmission (DBT) and 14.6 % occult transmission (OBT). HBV DNA load (odd ratio [OR], 1.44; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.05–1.98), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) (OR, 1.01; 95 %CI, 1.00–1.02) and toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) (OR, 1.27; 95 %CI, 1.06–1.52) positively correlated with DBT. Only IFN-γ (OR, 1.01; 95 %CI, 1.00–1.01) positively associated with OBT. According to the generated restricted cubic spline, TLR9 was positively correlates with rise of DBT in a log-shape. It may be possible to develop a nomogram which intercalates these factors to predict intrauterine HBV transmissions. Further research should consider immune processes involved in chorioamnionitis.