Hepatitis B vaccination of relatives of hepatitis B virus DNA positive carriers: an experience with plasma-derived vaccine.

Abstract

We assessed in a western population the efficacy of a plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine in relatives of highly infectious hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers. A consecutive group of 103 HbsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc negative household relatives of 45 HBV-DNA positive chronic carriers received a 5 micrograms dose of plasma-derived vaccine at 0, 1, 2 and 12 months. Protective levels of immunity developed in 101 subjects (97.8%) 3 months after boosting. Low responders to the vaccine were mostly found among parents and spouses of carriers, whilst offspring and siblings were usually high responders. The main discriminant in predicting a good response was age below 12 years. Hyporesponsiveness did not occur in family clusters. No major HBV events occurred among immunized relatives patients. Hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective in immunizing relatives of HBV carriers while no genetic conditioning of the immune response is evident among them.

• Authors: A Craxì, M Vinci, P Almasio, L Pagliaro
• Journal: European journal of epidemiology (Eur J Epidemiol) Vol. 5 Issue 1 Pg. 65-9 (Mar 1989) ISSN: 0393-2990 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 2523316 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• DNA Probes
• Hepatitis B Antibodies
• Hepatitis B Core Antigens
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
• Hepatitis B Vaccines
• Viral Hepatitis Vaccines

Topics

• Adult
• Carrier State (prevention & control)
• DNA Probes
• Hepatitis B (genetics, prevention & control, transmission)
• Hepatitis B Antibodies (analysis)
• Hepatitis B Core Antigens (analysis)
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens (analysis)
• Hepatitis B Vaccines
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Risk Factors
• Viral Hepatitis Vaccines (administration & dosage)