Response to vaccination against hepatitis B in patients with Behcet's disease.
OBJECTIVE
Hepatitis B virus infection is an important public health problem in Turkey. Although hepatitis B vaccination is regarded as safe and effective for the general population, recommendations for hepatitis B immunization in patients with Behcet's disease are not clear. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the response of patients with Behcet's disease to hepatitis B vaccination and to determine whether hepatitis B vaccination has any adverse effects on the course of the disease.


METHODS
Thirteen patients with Behcet's disease and 15 healthy individuals were enrolled into a prospective study. All subjects received the 3-dose series of routine hepatitis B vaccine. Anti-hepatitis B surface response was evaluated 1-3 months after the third dose of vaccine.


RESULTS
The responder rates for patient and control groups were 12/13 (92.8%) and 14/15 (93.8%), respectively. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of both the responder rates and mean antibody titers.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary findings might suggest that the majority of patients with Behcet's disease develop protective antibody response after hepatitis B vaccination and that the immune response against hepatitis B surface antigen is adequate, efficient and intact.
Erkek
Emel
E
Department of Dermatology, Kirikkale University School of Medicine, Kirikkale, Turkey. emelerkek@hotmail.com
Ayaslioglu
Ergin
E
Erkek
Ayhan Bulent
AB
Kurtipek
Gulcan Saylam
GS
Bagci
Yeter
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects*
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens