Efficient haemodialysis improves the response to hepatitis B virus vaccination.
BACKGROUND
As patients on chronic haemodialysis (PCHD) elicit a weaker response to vaccination with recombinant hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), we conducted this study to see how dialysis efficacy affects response to hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination.


METHODS
Study subjects consisted of 30 PCHD. All subjects were vaccinated with 4 x 40 microg HBsAg i.m. at 0, 1, 2, and 6 months. If a subject had an HBsAg antibody (HBsAb) level <10 IU/l after vaccination, he or she received a booster dose. Subjects were divided into groups according to the level of HBsAb: non-responders (<10 IU/l), weak responders (10-100 IU/l), and good responders (>100 IU/l).


RESULTS
The group of responders had a significantly more efficient dialysis (Kt/V) than the group of non-responders (p = 0.027). This difference was not observed between groups of non-responders and weak responders. The group of good responders had a significantly better Kt/V than the group of non-responders (p = 0.012). Good responders had a significantly better Kt/V than weak responders (p = 0.019). Kt/V values showed a significantly positive correlation with the HBsAb level (r = 0.47; p = 0.006).


CONCLUSIONS
The HBV vaccination reaction was weaker in PCHD with inefficient dialysis. Efficient haemodialysis significantly improves the response to vaccination with recombinant HBsAg.
Kovacic
Vedran
V
Centre for Touristic and Domestic Haemodialysis, Health Centre, Trogir, Croatia. vedkovac@inet.hr
Sain
Milenka
M
Vukman
Valentina
V
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D011994:Recombinant Proteins