Methadone-maintained former heroin addicts, including those who are anti-HIV-1 seropositive, comply with and respond to hepatitis B vaccination.
OBJECTIVE
To study the efficacy of standard hepatitis B (HB) vaccination in methadone-maintained former intravenous drug users.


METHODS
HB vaccine was administered to subjects at 0, 1 and 6 months.


METHODS
Two university-affiliated methadone maintenance clinics.


METHODS
Forty-three HB-unexposed former heroin addicts in methadone maintenance treatment for heroin addiction.


METHODS
HB surface antibody (anti-HBs) response to the vaccine was assessed at 0, 1, 6 and > or = 12 months; anti-HIV-1 status was also assessed.


RESULTS
Thirty-seven patients (86%) completed the 6-month vaccination series. Of the 30 anti-HIV-1 seronegative patients who then completed the entire 12-month protocol, 21 (70%) seroconverted (anti-HBs ratio > 2.1) and 19 (63%) were protected (anti-HBs ratio > 10). Two other subjects were anti-HIV-1 seropositive: one was HB-protected at 12 months but later lost immunity. Ten anti-hepatitis C antibody-positive patients completed the 12-month study and six were protected; thus, there was no significant relationship between hepatitis C status and HB vaccine response.


CONCLUSIONS
Standard HB vaccination is both feasible and effective.
Borg
L
L
Rockefeller University, Laboratory on the Biology of Addictive Diseases, New York, NY 10021, USA. borgl@rockvax.rockefeller.edu
Khuri
E
E
Wells
A
A
Melia
D
D
Bergasa
N V
NV
Ho
A
A
Kreek
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone