title: Immunization against hepatitis B in children from endemic zone: evaluation of the antibody response against the DNA recombinant vaccine (Engerix B-20 MCG).
abstract: A previous seroepidemiological study in the rural zone of Vargem Alta (ES) SouthEast of Brazil, showed a prevalence of up to 9% of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in some areas. One hundred susceptible children aging 1 to 5 years old were selected and immunized with a recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine (Smith-Kline 20 mcg) using the 0-1-6 months vaccination schedule. Blood samples were collected at the time of the first vaccine dose (month 0) in order to confirm susceptible individuals and 1,3,6 and 8 months after the first dose, to evaluate the antibody response. Our results showed that two and five months after the second dose, 79% and 88% of children seroconverted respectively, reaching 97% after the third dose. The levels of anti-HBs were calculated in milli International Units/ml (mIU/ml) and demonstrated the markedly increase of protective levels of antibodies after the third dose. These data showed a good immunogenicity of the DNA recombinant hepatitis B vaccine when administered in children of endemic areas.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Virologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Mercadante
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: França
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sidoni
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Ennes
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Baptista
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Schatzmayr
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: C075654:Engerix-B; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic