title: Investigation of memory B cell responses to hepatitis B surface antigen in health care workers considered as non-responders to vaccination.
abstract: Up to 20% of health care workers are considered as non-responders to hepatitis B vaccination (anti-HBs<10 m UI/ml in serum). We have explored memory B cells differentiated in vitro into anti-HBs antibody-secreting cells (anti-HBs-SCs) by ELISPOT assay. Anti-HBs-SCs were detected in vaccinated responders (n = 11) and non-responders (n = 10) but IgG anti-HBs-SCs were significantly lower in the non-responder group (p<0.001). Low amounts of HBs antibodies were also quantified by ELISA in non-responders' sera. These results indicate that a suboptimal B cell response exists in non-responders to HBV vaccination. This B cell response may mediate a protection against clinically significant breakthrough hepatitis B infection.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Hépato-Gastroentérologie B, Hôpital Saint Eloi, CHU Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Valats
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tuaillon
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Funakoshi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hoa
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Brabet
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bolloré
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ducos
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Vendrell
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blanc
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D058501:Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines