Serum levels of anti-hepatitis B surface antibody among vaccinated population aged 1 to 18 years in ahvaz city southwest of iran.
BACKGROUND
The duration of protection following primary series vaccination against hepatitis B is unknown in children and adolescents. It has been shown that the level of anti-hepatitis B surface antigen antibodies (anti HBs Ab) declines over years after vaccination.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to estimate the long-term immunity against hepatitis B virus infection among children and adolescents who had received a complete hepatitis B vaccination series during infancy.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional study, the - anti-HBsAb levels of 840 vaccinated children and adolescents were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
Hepatitis B seroprotection rates (anti HBsAb ≥ 10 IU/L) among vaccinated children and adolescents aged 1 and 18 years were 90% and 48.9%, respectively. The declining trend of geometric mean titer of anti-HBsAb levels was observed as changed from 272.3 IU/L to 94.1 IU/L in 1 and 18-year-old population, respectively. A significant negative correlation was found between age and anti-HBsAb levels (r = - 0.220, P = 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The results showed a declining trend in anti-HBsAb titers over the time after vaccination against hepatitis B virus in our region. Further studies are warranted to establish the need for a booster dose in cases that are at risk of hepatitis B virus infection.
Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, IR Iran.
Reza
R
Norouzirad
Health Research Institue, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
Abdol Hussein
AH
Shakurnia
Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
Mohammad-Ali
MA
Assarehzadegan
Health Education Research Group, Jahade Daneshgahi of Khouzestan, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
Amirarsalan
A
Serajian
Epidemiology Department, Faculty of Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Mehdi
M
Khabazkhoob
Hepatitis B; Iran; Vaccination