Hepatitis B (HB) immunoglobulin plus HB vaccine for intrauterine HB virus infection.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in infants born to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive mothers using HB immunoglobulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B (HB) vaccine was launched in Japan in 1985. Infants testing positive for HBsAg at 1 month of age are considered to have prenatally acquired the infection and are usually excluded from the prevention program. Infants born to HB e antigen (HBeAg)-positive mothers are at a high risk of perinatally acquiring the infection. In this study, long-term outcome was evaluated in children with prenatal HBV infection who received the HBIG and HB vaccine in Japan.

METHODS:

Newborns of both HBsAg- and HBeAg-positive carrier mothers received HBIG within 48 h of birth and at 2 months of age. Subsequently, three doses of recombinant HB vaccine were given at 2, 3, and 5 months of age. Outcome was compared between the following two groups: infants who completed the vaccination program, even if they were HBsAg positive at 1 month of age (n = 15), and infants who did not (n = 51).

RESULTS:

Seroconversion from HBeAg to anti-HBe antibody (HBeAb) before 3 years of age was observed in five children (33%) who completed the vaccination program and in two (4%) who did not (P = 0.005). In 2/5 children who completed the vaccination program and achieved HBeAb seroconversion, seroconversion from HBsAg to anti-HBs antibody was also noted.

CONCLUSION:

This specific vaccination program for children with prenatal HBV infection has the potential to alter immune tolerance to HBV.

• Authors: Kentaro Iwasawa, Ayano Inui, Tomoyuki Tsunoda, Takeo Kondo, Manari Kawamoto, Tsuyoshi Sogo, Haruki Komatsu, Tomoo Fujisawa
• Journal: Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society (Pediatr Int) Vol. 57 Issue 3 Pg. 401-5 (Jun 2015) ISSN: 1442-200X [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 25331640 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2014 Japan Pediatric Society.

Chemical References

• DNA, Viral
• Hepatitis B Antibodies
• Hepatitis B Vaccines
• Immunoglobulins
• hepatitis B hyperimmune globulin

Topics

• DNA, Viral (analysis)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Hepatitis B (therapy, virology)
• Hepatitis B Antibodies (analysis)
• Hepatitis B Vaccines (administration & dosage, genetics, immunology)
• Hepatitis B virus (immunology)
• Humans
• Immunization, Passive
• Immunoglobulins (administration & dosage)
• Incidence
• Infant
• Japan (epidemiology)
• Male
• Retrospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome
• Uterine Diseases (drug therapy, epidemiology, virology)