Abstract
BackgroundHepatitis B virus infection although preventable by vaccination remains an important health issue throughout the world due to its morbidity, mortality and economical losses. Early seroprotection is desirable for people at high risk of exposure. The aim of this study was to determine whether three-week hepatitis B vaccination (on days 0, 10 and 21) provide seroprotection or not.MethodsThe 120 subjects enrolled into the study were divided into two groups and vaccinated by the classic (months 0, 1, and 2) or the accelerated (days 0, 10, and 21) schedules and antibody response determined on days 30, 60, and 90 and, if below 10 mIU/ml-1, again on day 180. For each individual in the classic group (B) three subjects were enrolled in the accelerated group (A). Recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (Gen-Hevac B, Pasteur) was given as 20 micrograms intramuscular injections via the deltoid muscle. A booster dose on day 365 was administered for each group. Family members of hepatitis B carriers and volunteer health personnel were enrolled into group A. To the B group only volunteers who wanted vaccination against hepatitis B were included.ResultsAfter three doses of vaccine, Anti-HBs titers reached protective levels in both groups. The number of vaccinees with seroprotective levels of Anti-HBs (≥10 mIU/ml-1) on day 30 was 53 (58.9%) in group A and 9 (30.0%) in group B (p < 0.05). On day 60, there was no difference between group A and B, with response rates of 84.4% (n = 76) and 80.0% (n = 24) respectively (p > 0.05). On day 90 there was no difference between group B and group A; with 26 (86.7%) and 79 (87.7%) responders respectively. In both groups those with Anti-HBs levels <10 mIU/ml-1 attained protective levels by day 180.ConclusionIn this study, the three-week vaccination provided protective antibody titers within a shorter time compared to the classic schedule. Therefore, in order to provide rapid antibody production against hepatitis B virus, the accelerated vaccination schedule seems to be a good preference.
Highlights
Hepatitis B virus infection preventable by vaccination remains an important health issue throughout the world due to its morbidity, mortality and economical losses
In endemic areas hepatitis B is an important cause of mortality and is the main cause of hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis, which are preventable by vaccination against hepatitis B
Group A consisted of 90 subjects, 50 (55.6%) female and 40 (44.4%) male, with an average age of 25.91 ± 11.92 years
Summary
Hepatitis B virus infection preventable by vaccination remains an important health issue throughout the world due to its morbidity, mortality and economical losses. The aim of this study was to determine whether three-week hepatitis B vaccination (on days 0, 10 and 21) provide seroprotection or not. Hepatitis B virus infection is a common viral disease, which constitutes a serious health issue throughout the world due to its morbidity, mortality and economical losses. It is estimated that there are 400–500 million chronically infected people on this globe [1]. Vaccination against hepatitis B prevents the morbidity and mortality due to acute viral disease, and chronic hepatitis B and its fatal complications [2]. By immunization seroprotection rate has been determined as 95–99% [4]
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