Durability of Antibody Response Against Hepatitis B Virus in Healthcare Workers Vaccinated as Adults

Background. Follow-up studies of recipients of hepatitis B vaccine from endemic areas have reported loss of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) in a high proportion of persons vaccinated at birth. In contrast, the long-term durability of antibody in persons vaccinated as adults in non...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical infectious diseases 2015-02, Vol.60 (4), p.505-513
Main Authors: Gara, Naveen, Abdalla, Adil, Rivera, Elenita, Zhao, Xiongce, Werner, Jens M., Liang, T. Jake, Hoofnagle, Jay H., Rehermann, Barbara, Ghany, Marc G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
and Commentaries
Antigens
ARTICLES AND COMMENTARIES
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Health Personnel
Hepatitis
Hepatitis A Vaccines - immunology
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B - prevention & control
Hepatitis B Antibodies - blood
Hepatitis B Antibodies - immunology
Hepatitis B Core Antigens - blood
Hepatitis B Core Antigens - immunology
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - blood
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - immunology
Hepatitis B Vaccines - immunology
Humans
Immunization
Immunization, Secondary
Immunoglobulins
Immunologic Memory
Logistic Models
Male
Maryland
Medical personnel
Middle Aged
Regression Analysis
Serologic Tests
Time Factors
Vaccination
Vaccines
Vaccines, Combined - immunology
Young Adult
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Summary:Background. Follow-up studies of recipients of hepatitis B vaccine from endemic areas have reported loss of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) in a high proportion of persons vaccinated at birth. In contrast, the long-term durability of antibody in persons vaccinated as adults in nonendemic areas is not well defined. We aimed to assess the durability of anti-HBs among healthcare workers (HCWs) vaccinated as adults and response to a booster among those without protective levels of antibody. Methods. Adult HCWs aged 18–60 at the time of initial vaccination were recruited. All were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), and anti-HBs level. HCWs with anti-HBs 12 mIU/mL within 3 weeks. Conclusions. Anti-HBs levels decrease after 10–31 years and fall below a level considered protective in approximately 25% of cases. The rapid and robust response to a booster vaccine suggests a long-lasting amnestic response. Hepatitis B vaccination provides long-term protection against hepatitis B and booster vaccination does not appear to be necessary in HCWs.
ISSN:1058-4838
1537-6591
DOI:10.1093/cid/ciu867