Impaired response to hepatitis B vaccine in HIV infected children.
Eighteen human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vertically infected children (HIV group) and 33 seroreverted children (SR group), who had completed hepatitis B vaccination (Engerix B, 20 micrograms dose) were studied. Four out of 18 (22%) HIV children failed to develop protective antibody levels (anti-HBs titres less than 10 mIU ml-1) compared with 1 out of 33 (3%) SR children (p less than 0.05). Magnitude of response among HIV children was significantly lower than among SR children. In HIV children the probability that anti-HBs titres persist above the protective levels was significantly lower than in the SR group at any time during the 24 month follow-up. These results show that HIV children have a suboptimal response to hepatitis B immunization and the protection is less durable. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal protocol for hepatitis B immunization in HIV children.
Zuin
G
G
Paediatric Department IV, University of Milan, Italy.
Principi
N
N
Tornaghi
R
R
Paccagnini
S
S
Re
M
M
Massironi
E
E
Ragni
M C
MC
D002675:Child, Preschool; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007223:Infant; D014611:Vaccination
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines