title: Comparative immunogenicity in children of mammalian cell-derived recombinant hepatitis B vaccine and plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine.
abstract: Three doses of hepatitis B vaccine were given at 2, 4 and 9 months of age to 220 Senegalese infants living in the Dakar area of Senegal. Half of the infants received 5 micrograms plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine (Hevac B) and the remainder 20 micrograms mammalian cell-derived recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (GenHevac B). Both vaccines contain S and pre-S2 encoded proteins; however, the recombinant vaccine had a much higher pre-S2 content than the plasma-derived vaccine. Adverse reactions to both vaccines were limited to mild and transient soreness at the injection site. Fever was reported in 14-21% of the infants and was likely to be related to DTP-polio vaccine which was given simultaneously. After the two first doses, seroconversion rates and geometric mean titres of anti-HBs were higher in infants receiving the recombinant vaccine than in infants receiving the plasma-derived vaccine. After completion of vaccination, all infants in both groups had protective levels of anti-HBs antibodies. The recombinant vaccine induced more rapidly antibodies directed against S and pre-S2 epitopes. Anti-pre-S2 antibodies were detected after the first injection of GenHevac B and only after the third injection of Hevac B. From the data, GenHevac B vaccine is expected to be as effective as Hevac B vaccine for controlling hepatitis B infection.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Virologie de Tour, Faculté de Pharmacie, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Coursaget
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bringer
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sarr
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bourdil
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fritzell
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blondeau
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yvonnet
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Chiron
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jeannée
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guindo
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D014611:Vaccination; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines