title: Duration and efficacy of immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in high-risk Chinese adolescents.
abstract: The long-term immunogenicity and protection provided by a plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine was determined in a cohort of susceptible Chinese adolescents who were immunized in 1986. Ninety-five children, aged 13 to 15 years, received three vaccine doses (at 0, 1, and 2 months), and during subsequent annual follow-ups for 5 years, their serological markers for hepatitis B virus and levels of alanine aminotransferase were determined. After the primary vaccine series, 94 subjects (99%) developed antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). At the 60-month follow-up, 73% of vaccinees still had levels of antibody at or above 10 mIU/mL, which is considered the protective level. Nine vaccine responders (9%) developed antibody to hepatitis B core antigen, and in eight of these individuals, levels of anti-HBs increased transiently. None of the adolescents developed detectable levels of hepatitis B surface antigen or clinical hepatitis. Immunization of high-risk adolescents with a plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine can induce long-lasting protective immunity that can prevent or modify primary infection for at least 5 years. Immunization with booster doses is not necessary during this period.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Medical University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mintai
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kezhou
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lieming
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Smego
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012306:Risk; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines