Persistence of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen among vaccinated children in a low hepatitis B virus endemic area

Background A potential problem of hepatitis B immunization is that vaccine-induced antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) declines to low levels with age. This study investigated the persistence of anti-HBs in vaccinated children in a low hepatitis B virus (HBV) endemic area. Methods Pla...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:World journal of pediatrics : WJP 2011-11, Vol.7 (4), p.358-360
Main Authors: Aghakhani, Arezoo, Banifazl, Mohammad, Izadi, Nabiallah, McFarland, Willi, Sofian, Masoomeh, Khadem-Sadegh, Akbar, Pournasiri, Zahra, Foroughi, Maryam, Eslamifar, Ali, Ramezani, Amitis
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Brief Report
Critical Care Medicine
Imaging
Intensive
Maternal and Child Health
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Pediatric Surgery
Pediatrics
Radiology
Surgery
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Background A potential problem of hepatitis B immunization is that vaccine-induced antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) declines to low levels with age. This study investigated the persistence of anti-HBs in vaccinated children in a low hepatitis B virus (HBV) endemic area. Methods Plasma samples of 938 children between ages of 8 months and 15 years were tested for the presence of anti-HBs. Results The seroprotection rate was 60%. Protective antibody level was detected in 65% of children one year after vaccination, and in 30%, 29% and 24% 5, 10 and 15 years after vaccination, respectively. The mean anti-HBs titer declined with post-vaccination time (to 66 mIU/mL in 1 year, 60 mIU/mL in 5 years, 40 mIU/mL in 10 years to 37 mIU/mL in 15 years after vaccination). Conclusions Children vaccinated against HBV during infancy may show low levels of antibody during adolescence. Our data suggest that a booster dose of vaccine may be required in low HBV endemic areas.
ISSN:1708-8569
1867-0687
DOI:10.1007/s12519-011-0286-4