Attempt to prevent hepatitis by using specific anti-HBs immunoglobulin.
Sixteen batches of specific anti-HBs immunoglobulin have been prepared from December 1970 up to now. They were used in an attempt to prevent hepatitis B: (1) By a single injection, within seven days, in patients exposed by HBs Ag-positive blood transfusion: with a dose of 0.16 ml/kg, two hepatitis B cases were observed among 29 followed up patients out of 43 cases; with a dose of 0.5 ml/kg, no hepatitis was reported to us in the next 26 patients. (2) By a single injection, within seven days, in laboratory and hospital personnel accidentally contaminated. With a dose of 0.08 ml/kg administered to more than 1000 persons, an excellent protection was observed. (3) By injections repeated every five weeks during the first four months, then more widely spaced during the following months, in hemodialysis units staff. The attack rate of clinical hepatitis B was reduced from about 44 per cent to 0 per cent. No hepatitis case was observed in 90 persons protected from four to 26 months. In a control group (eight subjects) three hepatitis B cases occurred (37 per cent).
D000059:Accidents; D000906:Antibodies / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D000906:Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007136:Immunoglobulins