@article { author = {KABAMBA, ARSENE and Kakisingi, Christian and Mwamba, Claude and Nyembo, Christophe and Dufrasne, François and Dessilly, Géraldine and KABAMBA, Benoit and Longanga, Albert}, title = {Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection among Pregnant Women in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo: Prevalence, risk factors, and Genotype Distribution}, journal = {African Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology}, volume = {5}, number = {1}, pages = {19-32}, year = {2022}, publisher = {Scientific Society of Kafr El-Sheikh Doctors}, issn = {2735-5489}, eissn = {2735-5497}, doi = {10.21608/ajgh.2022.120953.1002}, abstract = {Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus is a major worldwide public health concern. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and identify the risk factors of carrying hepatitis B surface Antigen in pregnant women. Furthermore to determine the biochemical modifications and study the distribution of hepatitis B Virus genotypes among pregnant women living with hepatitis B Virus in Lubumbashi.Detection of HBsAg was carried out by rapid diagnostic test. Biochemical analysis was performed using spectrophotometric method. The qPCR was performed on the LightCycler® 96 analyzer. The sequencing reaction on amplicons from the overlap region of the P and S genes was carried out on the Veritiâ„¢ Thermal Cycler. The hepatitis B Virus Desoxyribonucleic Acid sequencing was achieved on an ABI PRISM 3500 analyzer.The seroprevalence of HBV among pregnant women was 4.4%. Blood transfusion and unprotected sex have been significantly associated with the risk of carrying HBsAg. Increased level of bilirubin and transaminases were observed. The genotypes E (59.4%), A (40.6%) and some drug resistance mutations were identified in the study population.With an HBV seroprevalence of 4.4%, Mother to child transmission of HBV remains a public health concern in Lubumbashi. Therefore, efforts aiming at reducing HBV infection among pregnant women and children should be strongly encouraged. Data obtained from hepatitis B Virus genotyping and the resistance mutations should help health authorities as a tool towards the adoption of treatment options including vaccination strategies and the development of a mapping of HBV genotypes in the Democratic Republic of Congo.}, keywords = {Epidemiology,genotypes,Hepatitis B virus,Pregnant women}, url = {https://ajgh.journals.ekb.eg/article_229711.html}, eprint = {https://ajgh.journals.ekb.eg/article_229711_2a6fd1d8d181ac36637f8bdce68c215f.pdf} }