Study on the Relationship Between Maternal-infant Vertical Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus and T Helper Cells 1,2 Type Cytokines

Objective: To Study on the relationship between maternal-infant vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus and T helper cells 1, 2 type cytokines. Methods:The pregnant women were divided into two groups: 78 cases with positive HBsAg were included in the study group, the control group included 40 cases of normal pregnant women. By using diantibody sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbant assay(DAS-ELISA), the serum HBV M, IFN-γ, IL-12, and IL-6 levels in maternal and neonates were determined respectively. Results:In the study group, the incidence of HBV intrauterine infection was 12.82%(10/78). The IFN-γ, IL-12 levels of the pregnant women with intrauterine infection were significantly lower than those without intrauterine infection and control group(P0.05), IL-6 levels was contrary to IFN-γ and IL-12(P0.05). There had no significan difference of IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-6 levels between women without intrauterine infection and control group(P0.05). The positive correlation existed between IFN-γ and IL-12 levels among each group(P0.05). IL-12 and IL-6 levels were negatively correlated, and so were IFN-γ and IL-6 levels(P0.05). No significant difference of IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-6 levels as found among in newborns group (P 0.05). Conclusions:There is imbalance of Th1/Th2 cells in pregnant women, which causes IFN-γ and IL-12 activities decrease, and the activity of IL-6 increases. Thus the antiviral responses of IFN-γ and IL-12 are inhibited, resulting higher incidence of intrauterine infection.