A 24-year-old pregnant woman is found to have chronic viral hepatitis B on liver biopsy. The presence of which of the following serologic markers is most likely to increase the risk of vertical transmission of the virus?

Question

A 24-year-old pregnant woman is found to have chronic viral hepatitis B on liver biopsy.  The presence of which of the following serologic markers is most likely to increase the risk of vertical transmission of the virus?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Vertical transmission of hepatitis B from pregnant females to the unborn child can occur in women with active hepatitis B infection.  The presence of HBeAg (a marker of viral replication and increased infectivity) in the mother greatly increases the risk of vertical transmission of the virus.  Because of this concern, the newborns of all mothers with active hepatitis B are passively immunized at birth with hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG), followed by active immunization with recombinant HBV vaccine.

A 24-Year-Old Pregnant Woman Is Found to Have Chronic Viral