Asialoglycoprotein receptor expression in placenta of women with Hepatitis B Virus e Antigen (HBeAg) positive and negative.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the relationship between Asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R) on the placenta and positivity of HBeAg in the mother's serum. METHOD: We collected 52 placentas from delivered mothers who have HbsAg-positive serum. The HbsAg-positive serum was then examined for HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed on block paraffin sections using monoclonal antibody of ASGP-R. RESULTS: The expression of ASGP-R of 52 placenta samples demonstrated that 37 samples were scored I, five samples were score II, two samples were score III, and eight samples were score IV. We found that 14 of 52 serum samples were HBeAg-positive and 38 were HBeAg-negative. CONCLUSION: There is a significant correlation between ASGP-R on the placenta and positivity of HBeAg in the mother's serum. The expression of the ASGP-R could increase the risk of HBV transmission. The result of this study could be used as a guideline for preventing and therapeutic approach of HBV from mother to child.