title: Effect of hepatitis B vaccination in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effects of hepatitis B vaccination on the antibody titer in patients with chronic hepatitis C and to compare it with response in normal healthy subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interventional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan, from January 2007 to January 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hepatitis vaccination (Heberbiovac-HB 20) was given intramuscularly to the patients of chronic hepatitis C (HCV group) and normal healthy subjects (control group) at 0, 1 and 6 months intervals. Anti-HBs titer was determined after second and third injection to assess the antibody response.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 46 patients in the HCV group and 45 patients in the control group. Mean age was 40.9 ± 9.8 years in the HCV group and 33.18 ± 8.35 years in the control group. Weight was 67.04 ± 13.5 kg in the HCV group and 71.78 ± 14.63 kg in the control group. Height was 162.45 ± 9.06 cm in the HCV group and 167.03 ± 7.83 cm in the control group. Anti-HBs antibody levels after the second injection were 253.89 ± 76.76 mlU/mL in the HCV group and 245.81 ± 72.65 mlU/mL in the control group (p=0.172). After third injection, the antibody levels were slightly higher in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with chronic hepatitis C and normal healthy subjects, Heberbiovac HB in standard dosage gave sero-protective levels in both groups and antibody titers were not significantly different in control and HCV group.
authors: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad.
authors: Nasir
authors: N
authors: Khokhar
authors: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad.
authors: Tariq Khan
authors: TK
authors: Niazi
authors: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad.
authors: Muhammad Omar
authors: MO
authors: Qureshi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000097:blood; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods*; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; C115360:heberbiovac-HB