Immunization against hepatitis B--what can we expect? Results of a survey of antibody response to immunization in persons 'at risk' of occupational exposure to hepatitis B.
One thousand three hundred and twenty adults at risk of occupational exposure to hepatitis B were immunized using genetically engineered surface antigen and their antibody response (anti-HBs IU/l) assessed. Sex was known for all subjects and age for 1120 (range from 17-71 years). Seven hundred and sixty-four subjects were immunized in the local Department of Occupational Health, the remainder mainly by general practitioners. Analysis of 'good responders' (anti-HBs greater than 100 IU/l) according to age and sex showed that increasing age and male sex had independent adverse effects on the likelihood of developing a satisfactory level of antibody to HBsAg. Furthermore even those most likely to respond well (young women), had a 1/5 to 1/6 failure rate to achieve greater than 100 IU/l anti-HBs. Of 63 persons who received a fourth dose of vaccine, 26 developed anti-HBs titres greater than 100 IU/l when tested after 6 months. Subjects who had a low level of anti-HBs following primary immunization were more likely to develop greater than 100 IU/l anti-HBs following a booster dose than were non-responders (less than 10 IU/l).
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Department of Microbiology/Public Health Laboratory, Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines