Vaccination against hepatitis B: results of the analysis of 2000 population members in Croatia.
The results of the analysis of vaccination against hepatitis B performed in 2,000 persons of high-risk groups in Croatia are described. All susceptible non-immunocompromised persons (HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc negative) received either plasma-derived vaccine (HB-Vax MSD, 20 micrograms per dose) or recombinant HB vaccine (ENGERIX-B, SKB, 20 micrograms per dose) according to a 0.1 and 6-month schedule. Hemodialysis patients received four doses of HB vaccine (40 micrograms per dose). Seroconversion occurred in 98% of health care workers, 98.5% of family members of HBsAg chronic carriers, 98% of infants born to HBsAg carrier-mothers and 92% of hemodialysis patients. The percentage of poor-responders (titer of anti-BHs = 1-10 mIU/ml) for the groups was 2, 2, 8 and 20%, respectively, while low-responders (titer of anti-BHs = 10.1-100 mIU/ml) were 5, 4.5, 12 and 26%, respectively. A significant prevalence of non-responders, poor-responders and low-responders among male health care workers was noticed (p = 0.01, 0.026 and 0.002, respectively). Females significantly prevailed among excellent-responders (p = 0.0039). In hemodialysis patients, there were 8% non-responders, 19.5% poor-responders, and 26% low-responders. A significant difference between the percentage of good-responders (titer of anti-HBs = 101-1,000 mIU/ml) and excellent-responders (titer of anti-HBs over 1,000 mIU/ml) among health care workers and hemodialysis patients was documented (91% versus 46.5%, p < 0.0001). The combined passive-active immunization (hyperimmune hepatitis B globulin + hepatitis B vaccine) was effective in 98% of infants born to HBsAg carrier-mothers, and only one boy developed subclinical HBV infection (HBsAg and anti-HBc positive findings with normal ALT-values).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Palmović
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D
University Hospital of Infections Diseases Dr Fran Mihaljević, Zagreb, Croatia.
Crnjaković-Palmović
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J
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017523:Croatia; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines