title: Protective efficacy of a recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine in neonates of HBe antigen-positive mothers.
abstract: We have assessed the protective efficacy of a recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine alone in infants of women who were positive for the surface antigen and the e antigen. The infants received a 10-micrograms dose of the vaccine within 12 hours of birth and additional doses 1, 2, and 12 months later. No significant adverse reactions to vaccination were observed and the vaccine was highly immunogenic. Only 2 (3.6%) of the 55 infants followed up to 13 months became chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus, as evidenced by the persistent presence of hepatitis B surface antigen in serum samples. Without immunoprophylaxis, 65% to 90% of such infants would become chronic carriers. Immunization with a recombinant vaccine without concomitant administration of hepatitis B immunoglobulin, therefore, considerably decreased the incidence of the carrier state.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Poovorawan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sanpavat
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pongpunlert
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chumdermpadetsuk
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sentrakul
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Safary
mesh_terms: D002353:Carrier State; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D013785:Thailand; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines