title: Impact of hepatitis B vaccination in a highly endemic area of south Italy and long-term duration of anti-HBs antibody in two cohorts of vaccinated individuals.
abstract: The aims of this study were to evaluate the impact of hepatitis B vaccination on the changing pattern of HBV infection in a former hyperendemic area (Afragola, South Italy), and to assess the long-term persistence of anti-HBs in two cohorts of individuals vaccinated as infants 18 and 23 years ago. Our data shows a significant decline in the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers in the general population from 1978 to 2006 (HBsAg: 13.4% versus 0.91%; anti-HBc: 66.9% versus 7.6%; p<0.001). Data from two cohorts of vaccinees provides further evidence regarding the long-term persistence of vaccine-induced anti-HBs. Data here reported indicates that the implementation of vaccination had a great impact in the control and prevention of hepatitis B in Italy.
authors.affiliation: Italian Institute for Prevention of Liver Diseases, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Da Villa
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Romanò
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sepe
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Iorio
authors.forename: Nunzio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Paribello
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zappa
authors.forename: Alessandro R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Zanetti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens