Serial changes in titers of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen after immunization of infants born to mothers with hepatitis B e antigen.
To evaluate the long-term protection provided by hepatitis B (HB) vaccine in a high-risk environment, we followed 50 infants born to mothers with hepatitis B e (HBe) antigen. These infants were immunized with a three-dose regimen of plasma-derived HB vaccine and were followed for up to 10 years. Two infants (4%) acquired hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection before 1 year of age. The 48 other infants remained hepatitis B surface (HBs) antigen-negative during the follow-up period. The geometric mean titers of serum antibody to HBs antigen rapidly decreased during the first 4 years but remained at protective levels throughout the follow-up period. These data suggest that protection against significant HBV infection lasts for at least 10 years. We conclude that the long-term protection afforded by plasma-derived HB vaccine is satisfactory and that a routine booster dose before 10 years of age is not necessary.
Department of Pediatrics, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan.
T
T
Fujisawa
M
M
Onoue
A
A
Inui
T
T
Kosugi
D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens