title: Prevalence of HBV markers in the Italian Armed Forces and HBV vaccination.
abstract: Hepatitis B (HBV) markers were studied in 710 subjects who had been on active duty for over 6 months in the Italian Armed Forces. The prevalence of HBsAg carriers was found to be 4.4%, while 31.6% of the subjects were positive for various HBV antibodies. A total of 137 subjects were vaccinated with an anti-HBV vaccine (HB-VAX, MSD). The percentages of non-responders and low responders were 13.86% and 13.14%, respectively. Boosters administered 3 months post-vaccination schedule, with or without immunostimulatory treatment, resulted in seroconversions and/or substantial increases in HBsAb levels in 50% of these subjects.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: D'Amelio
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Matricardi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nisini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Le Moli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fattorossi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Addario
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Castagliuolo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines