The Characteristics of the Biological Markers of Pregnant Women Carrying the Hepatitis B Virus in the Hepato-Gastroenterology Unit of the District Hospital of Commune IV in Bamako (Mali)

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects more than 2 billion people worldwide, with more than 257 million chronic carriers and 88,700 deaths per year. In Mali, the prevalence of HBsAg in the general population is estimated at 14.7% [2] and 15.5% in pregnant women. The objective of this work was to describe the characteristics of the biological markers of pregnant women carrying the hepatitis B virus in the hepato-gastroenterology unit of the district hospital of commune IV of Bamako (Mali). Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that took place at the district hospital of commune IV of Bamako between March 1, 2020 and February 1, 2021. The study population was consisting of pregnant women referred to our unit for positive HBSAg detected during prenatal biological examinations. Were included in this study, the pregnant women referred for Ag HBS positive and who made the biological markers of follow-up. Were not included, those who did not make the biological markers. Results: During the study period, we received 177 pregnant carriers of the hepatitis B virus out of 1008 consultations, ie a frequency of 13.09%. Among the 177 pregnant women referred to our unit, 132 were able to carry out the biological markers, i.e. a completion rate of 74.58%. The age of the patients varied between 16 and 44 years with an average age of 28.5 years ± 6.6. HBsAg was discovered in 81.1% of women during the current pregnancy and it was prior to pregnancy in 18.9%. Positive viral markers in pregnant women were: HBeAg (6.8%), anti- HBe Ac (84.8%), anti - HBc Ac IgG (100%). Viral DNA was undetectable in 17.4% of pregnant women, it was between 1-2 million IU/ml in 77.3% and greater than 2 million IU/ml in 5.3%. Conclusion: This study showed a high frequency of hepatitis B virus infection during pregnancy. A better knowledge of serological markers, particularly in pregnant women, seems to be the most effective means of combating this scourge.