Comparison of results of recombinant and plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccines in Japanese nursery-school children.
Results obtained with a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine were compared with those obtained with a plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine in separate studies conducted in nursery schools in which at least one child had hepatitis B e antigen associated with surface antigen. Recombinant vaccine (5 micrograms), made in Japan and prepared from antigen expressed in yeast, was given to 118 children (aged 0-5 years of age, mean age 2.9 years). Plasma-derived vaccine (10 micrograms) was given to 243 children. Side-reactions were not observed with either vaccine. Seroconversion rates for the recombinant vaccine group were 8.5% after 1 month, 98.3% after 9 months and 100% after 12 months. For the plasma-derived vaccine group, the rate after 1 month was 26.3% after 9 months 82.3%, and after 12 months 77.9%. Although in the recombinant vaccine group the immune response developed more slowly during the early phase, seroconversion rates were significantly higher than in the plasma-derived vaccine group after 6 months. Titres of antibodies also were significantly higher in the recombinant vaccine group after the third injection. None of the children in either group became infected with hepatitis B virus. These results confirm the high immunogenicity, safety and efficacy of the recombinant vaccine given to these nursery school children.
Hayashi
J
J
First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Kashiwagi
S
S
Kajiyama
W
W
Ikematsu
H
H
Noguchi
A
A
Nomura
H
H
Ikeda
K
K
D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014612:Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines