Follow-up of hepatitis b virus vaccine response in healthy individuals

Abstract

Background The long-term protective effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine and the need for booster dose vaccination remain unclear. Detection of nonresponders to HBV vaccine and search for factors that lead to nonresponse will help in prevention of HBV infection, hepatocellular carcinoma related to hepatitis B infection and hepatitis D virus infection. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the benefit of follow-up of hepatitis B vaccine response and evaluate the persistence of seroprotection after HBV vaccination to determine the necessity of a booster dose in healthy individuals after 5 and 10 years of vaccination. Patients and methods Serum samples were tested for quantitative detection of hepatitis B surface antibodies (HBsAb) using ELISA for 30 individuals who received HBV vaccine of less than or equal to 5 years (group I) and 30 individuals who received HBV vaccine for more than or equal to 10 years (group II), and if the results were negative or less than 10 IU/ml, evaluations of hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B core antibodies (total) were done. Results HBsAb was positive among 66.7% of each group, and the median HBsAb level was 59.73 and 51.21 in groups I and II, respectively. Conclusion Approximately 33% of the studied groups were nonresponders of HBV vaccine regardless of postvaccination years (5–10). Hepatitis B infection and occult hepatitis B infection results were negative in all of nonresponders. Recommendations Follow-up of HBsAb levels in vaccinated individuals after having completed three doses of hepatitis B vaccination on a large scale is important to detect nonresponses and revaccinate them.