title: Controlled trial of thymopentin in hemodialysis patients who fail to respond to hepatitis B vaccination.
abstract: Uremic patients are at high risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and, despite the availability and efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine, a high rate of non responders has been reported. Forty uremic patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis who failed to produce any measurable anti-HBs antibody response after 4 administrations of 5 micrograms of Hevac B Pasteur vaccine were admitted to a randomized controlled clinical trial. Group A (14 patients) received 3 doses of 5 micrograms s.c. each of vaccine at monthly intervals and 12 doses of 50 mg s.c. of thymopentin on alternate days between the first and the second vaccination. Group B (11 patients) received 3 doses of 5 micrograms s.c. each of vaccine at monthly intervals. Group C (15 patients) received 3 doses of 10 micrograms s.c. each of vaccine at monthly intervals. Immunization rates were 86% in group A (on both 1-month and 6-month checks), 36% on the 1-month and 27% on the 6-month check in group B, 53% on the 1-month and 47% on the 6-month check in group C. Anti-HBs antibody titers were similar in group A and C but notably lower in group B. Thymopentin seems as useful therapeutical tool for non responder patients. As it promotes T cell maturation and responsiveness, which are impaired in uremia, it could play a major part in the management of uremic immunodeficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, General Hospital Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gastaldi
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013946:Thymopoietins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013951:Thymus Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014511:Uremia / Q000628:therapy*; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D013946:Thymopoietins; D013951:Thymus Hormones; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines