title: Hepatitis B immunoglobulin discontinuation followed by hepatitis B virus vaccination: A new strategy in the prophylaxis of hepatitis B virus recurrence after liver transplantation.
abstract: It is widely agreed that hepatitis B virus immunoglobulin (HBIG) should be administered for at least 12 months to patients transplanted for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related diseases to prevent HBV recurrence. No data are available, however, on how long this treatment should be used, and most centers currently administer HBIG on a life-long basis. Herein, we report the results of a new prophylactic strategy aiming at the discontinuation of HBIG treatment and consisting of the administration of double dose recombinant HBV vaccine (0, 1-, and 6-month schedule) to liver transplant recipients fulfilling the following criteria: (1) liver transplantation for conditions related to nonreplicative HBV infection (hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] positive, hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg] negative, and HBV DNA negative); (2) at least 18 months of HBIG administration; and (3) no HBV infection recurrence, normal or slightly altered liver graft function, and low-grade immunosuppression at the time of vaccination. Seventeen patients received HBV vaccination and 14 of them (82%) developed protective serum titers of anti-HBs (>10 IU/L). Six patients seroconverted after a first course of vaccination, whereas 8 patients required a second course (3 additional doses of vaccine). Responding patients were followed for a median of 14 months (range, 3-50) after seroconversion. During this period no HBV recurrence occurred and in only 2 patients a decrease of anti-HBs titers below 10 UI/L was observed. Our data suggest that in selected liver transplant recipients, posttransplantation HBV vaccination may be a useful and cost-effective strategy in the prophylaxis of HBV recurrence, allowing the discontinuation of life-long HBIG treatment.
authors.affiliation: Institut Clinic de Malalties Digestives, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Fueyo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rimola
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grande
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Navasa
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cirera
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Tapias
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodés
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000379:methods; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D007136:Immunoglobulins; C045213:hepatitis B hyperimmune globulin