title: [Evaluation of the immunological response to hepatitis B vaccine in health care professionals].
abstract: Clinical trials have shown the safety and efficacy of Hepatitis B (HB) vaccination, but it is well known that host and immunization factors can affect the response to HB vaccine. In order to assess the importance of some of these factors we evaluated the immune response of 86 health care workers who received three doses of H-B-Vax intramuscularly (deltoid), at days 0, 30 and 180. Serum samples were taken after each dose and anti-HBs antibodies were determined by quantitative radioimmunoassay. The results showed that males had a diminished immune response to the first dose of HB vaccine (31.7% x 53.3%, p < 0.05) and had geometric mean titers (GMT) of anti-HBs lower than females at the end of the vaccination program (2109.4 x 2453.8, p > 0.05). Smokers had a lower rate of seroconversion after the first dose (29.7% x 53.1%, p < 0.05) and reached lower GMT (2015.2 x 2453.8, p > 0.05) than non-smokers. There were no statistically significant differences between individuals younger or older than 35 years old, in either immunological response of level of anti-HBs.
authors.affiliation: Disc. de Gastroenterol. da Esc. Paul. de Med., São Paulo.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ferraz
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Kemp
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.forename: R X
authors.initials: RX
authors.lastname: Guimarães
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines
vernacular_title: Avaliação da resposta imunológica à vacina contra hepatite B em profissionais da área de saúde.