title: Effect of age on the immunogenicity of yeast recombinant hepatitis B vaccines containing surface antigen (S) or PreS2 + S antigens.
abstract: A single-blind, multicenter, phase II trial of yeast recombinant hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccines containing surface antigen (S) alone or with PreS2 (PreS2 + S) was conducted in 282 healthy HBV-seronegative adults aged 20-59 years. Each volunteer was randomly assigned to receive HBV vaccine containing 10 micrograms of S or one of three doses of PreS2 plus S: 2 + 10 micrograms, 4 + 20 micrograms, or 8 + 40 micrograms. The level of antibody to HBV surface antigen reached depended on the dose of S, not PreS2, received. In each vaccine group, volunteers 20-39 years old had higher titers of anti-PreS2 and antibody to S than those 40-59 years old. The age-related effect on immune response to HBV vaccination suggests that adults should be immunized against hepatitis B at as early an age as possible and that older persons may need a higher dose or booster immunizations to achieve durable immunity.
authors.affiliation: Center for Immunization Research, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Clements
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Miskovsky
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cupps
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kumwenda
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Sandman
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: West
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hesley
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ioli
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000917:Antibody Formation; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005260:Female; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic