Bibliographic Info
GuidelineConsolidated guidelines on HIV, viral hepatitis and STI prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations
Year of Publication2022
Issuing InstitutionWHO
Recommendation
Status
Updated
Recommended in favor
Conditional
Certainty of evidence
Moderate
WHO recommends that in settings in which antenatal HBV DNA testing is not available, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) testing can be used as an alternative to HBV DNA testing to determine eligibility for tenofovir prophylaxis to prevent vertical transmission of HBV
Notes and Remarks
- 1.HBV DNA quantification is the reference method to determine eligibility for tenofovir prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HBV in pregnant women. Access to HBV DNA quantification (in terms of costs, availability of tests, availability of testing platforms and quality of tests) remains limited in some settings. Efforts need to continue to increase access to HBV DNA testing and reduce prices.
- 2.The tests being used need to meet quality, safety and performance standards (with regard to both analytical and clinical sensitivity and specificity)