title: Efficacy of different doses of immune serum globulin in the prevention of hepatitis A: a three-year prospective study.
abstract: Previous studies have shown that the administration of immune serum globulin (ISG) before exposure to hepatitis A virus prevents infection. The precise dose needed and the duration of the protection conferred are unclear, however. In this study, ISG doses of 2 mL and 5 mL were used for preexposure prophylaxis, and their efficacies in reducing the attack rate of hepatitis A among Israel Defence Forces troops serving in field units were compared. The attack rate during the first 4 months of follow-up was low and was similar regardless of the dose administered (0.11/10,000 and 0.15/10,000 for 2 mL and 5 mL, respectively; P = 1.0). In the second and third 4-month intervals after immunization, attack rates were higher (but not significantly so) among soldiers given 2 mL than among those given 5 mL. Twelve months after immunization, the cumulative attack rate for hepatitis A was significantly different for the two groups (2.78/10,000 vs. 1.30/10,000; P < .05). Our data suggest that preexposure immunization with 2 mL of ISG is as effective as that with 5 mL in preventing hepatitis A for 4 months. The advantage of the 5-mL dose is evident 5-12 months after administration.
authors.affiliation: Medical Corps, Israel Defence Forces, Tel-Aviv.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lerman
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shohat
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ashkenazi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Almog
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Heering
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shemer
mesh_terms: D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007557:Israel; D008889:Military Personnel; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins