Vaccination of newborns of HBsAg-positive carrier mothers with a recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine.
Thirty neonates born to HBsAg-positive mothers were vaccinated with a 20 microgram dose of the SmithKline Biologicals recombinant DNA yeast-derived vaccine within 24 hours after birth, with similar inoculations repeated 1 and 2 months later. Preliminary results indicate that the recombinant vaccine was well tolerated and immunogenic. A 100% seroconversion rate was achieved 4 months after the first vaccine dose and the anti-HBs geometric mean titres progressively rose from 14 to 31,279 and 361 IU/l at months 1, 2, 4, and 6, respectively. Although a longer period of observation and comparison with a historical control group are needed to evaluate its protective efficacy in this high-risk population, the fact that no vaccinated newborns have been infected is encouraging.
Cadranel
S
S
Clinique Pédiatrique, Hôpital Universitaire Saint Pierre, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
Zeghlache
S
S
Fernandez
S
S
Safary
A
A
André
F
F
D000941:Antigens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004274:DNA, Recombinant / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000276:immunology*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics; D014611:Vaccination; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000941:Antigens; D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic