Pregnancy hepatitis in Libya
Christie, A.B.; Allam, A.A.; Aref, M.K.; Muntasser, I.H.; El-Nageh, M.
Lancet 2(7990): 827-829
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0140-6736 PMID: 61499 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(76)91210-1Document Number: 499587
An outbreak of hepatitis especially virulent in pregnant women in Tripoli, Libya in 1975 is described. The case-fatality rate was 12.97% in 293 pregnant women, 1.6% in 252 nonpregnant women, and 0.53% in 377 men. Deaths in pregnant women usually occurred in 3rd trimester, often at the onset of labor. There was no evidence that pregnant women with jaundice were admitted in preference to non-pregnant women, or that age or parity was related to infection. Hepatitis B antigen was tested by counter immunoelectrophoresis and later by reverse passive hemagglutination and radioimmunoassay. The overall prevalence was 16.6%. In pregnant women it was 11.1%. None of the pregnant women who died were positive for HBsAg. Coma and an abrupt deterioration were often seen in the pregnant women who dies. The women ate a diet devoid in protein from meat, eggs or fish. The epidemic died down in the second half of the year. It was conjectured that virulent a non-A-non-B hepatitis virus caused this outbreak.