Hepatitis B virus vaccination of recipients and donors of allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine the role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination as defined by the seroconversion to hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) positivity in peripheral blood stem cell transplants.


METHODS
A total of 65 recipients and their donors were enrolled in this study. Recipients were divided into four distinct groups. Group 1 consisted of individuals who were vaccinated, group 2 consisted of individuals who were naturally immunized, group 3 consisted of individuals who were HBs-Ag positive, and group 4 consisted of individuals who were HBV naïve and not vaccinated.


RESULTS
Eighty-eight percent of the HBV-vaccinated recipients (14 of 16), who had vaccinated-donors, seroconverted to anti-HBs positivity. Eighty-three percent of HBV-naïve recipients (five of six), who received stem cells from HBV-immune donors, seroconverted to anti-HBs positivity. Two of the four HBs-Ag positive recipients with HBV-immune donors seroconverted to anti-HBs positivity after transplantation. Fifty-seven percent of previously vaccinated-recipients (eight of 14) lost detectable anti-HBs antibody following transplantation. Finally, 31% of HBV-naïve recipients with HBV-naïve donors acquired a de novo HBV infection.


CONCLUSIONS
(i) Hepatitis B virus immunization of recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation results in an effective antibody response. (ii) The HBV-immune status of the donor plays an important role in post-transplantation HBs-Ab on seroconversion. (iii) Systematic re-immunization of recipients will be necessary to maintain HBV immunity in long-term serving recipients.
Idilman
Ramazan
R
Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara University Medical School, Ibn'i Sina Hospital, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey. idilman1@hotmail.com
Ustün
Celalettin
C
Karayalçin
Selim
S
Aktemel
Aslihan
A
Turkyilmaz
Ahmet R
AR
Ozcan
Muhit
M
Arslan
Onder
O
Bozdayi
A Mithat
AM
Van Thiel
David H
DH
Akan
Hamdi
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036102:Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation; D011300:Preoperative Care; D014019:Tissue Donors; D014611:Vaccination
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens