title: Hepatitis B vaccine effectiveness in the face of global HBV genotype diversity.
abstract: Recombinant hepatitis B vaccines are of the A2 genotype; one of ten known genotypes whose distribution varies globally. Reports of rare HBV infections in blood donors with an imbalance of non-A2 genotype HBV in vaccinated subjects have raised questions about the cross-protection afforded by HBV-A2 vaccines. Infections in HBV vaccinees were asymptomatic and transient, indicating that vaccination prevented clinical disease. Preclinical data demonstrate cross-reactivity and cross-protection by A2 vaccines against non-A2 HBV genotypes. Substantial improvements in HBV control have been demonstrated in countries with diverse genotype distribution that have introduced universal childhood HBV vaccination programs. Available data show that current HBV-A2 vaccines are highly effective in preventing infections and clinical disease caused by all known HBV genotypes.
authors.affiliation: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cassidy
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mossman
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olivieri
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Ridder
authors.forename: Geert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leroux-Roels
mesh_terms: D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D014611:Vaccination; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic