title: Immunity to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection two decades after implementation of universal infant HBV vaccination: association of detectable residual antibodies and response to a single HBV challenge dose.
abstract: Most persons who receive hepatitis B vaccine during infancy will have a level of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBsAg) of <10 IU/liter 10 to 15 years later; however, most will demonstrate immune memory by an anamnestic response to a vaccine challenge dose. To determine whether there was a difference in anamnestic response among college students vaccinated during infancy, we compared anti-HBsAg levels after a 20-μg dose of Engerix-B in those with a residual anti-HBsAg level of 0 IU/liter and those with levels of 1 to 9 IU/liter. Anti-HBsAg was measured before (baseline) and 2 weeks after a challenge dose; a response was defined as a level of ≥10 IU/liter after the dose among those with <10 IU/liter at the baseline. Of the 153 students who completed the study, 130 (85%) had an anti-HBsAg level of <10 IU/liter at the baseline, 72 had a level of 0 IU/liter, and 58 had levels ranging from 1 to 9 IU/liter. Students with a levels of 1 to 9 IU/liter were more likely to respond to the challenge dose than those with a baseline anti-HBsAg level of 0 IU/liter (83% versus 50%; P < 0.001). The presence of any detectable anti-HBsAg among persons vaccinated in the remote past may indicate the persistence of immune memory.
authors: Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. pspradling@cdc.gov
authors: Philip R
authors: PR
authors: Spradling
authors: Jian
authors: J
authors: Xing
authors: Roxanne
authors: R
authors: Williams
authors: Yolanda
authors: Y
authors: Masunu-Faleafaga
authors: Theresa
authors: T
authors: Dulski
authors: Abdirahman
authors: A
authors: Mahamud
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Drobeniuc
authors: Eyasu H
authors: EH
authors: Teshale
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013334:Students; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines