Seroprotection after hepatitis B vaccination in children aged 1 to 15 years in central province of Iran, Semnan.
BACKGROUND
There are controversies over the long-term persistence of post vaccination immunity to hepatitis B and the need for booster doses of the vaccine. The aim of this study was to verify antibody levels of antibody against hepatitis B virus surface antigen (anti-HBs) in children aged 1 to 15 years who received vaccination against hepatitis B in the central province of Iran, Semnan.


METHODS
We performed a seroepidemiological survey (n = 210) of anti-HBs in 2011 in the central province of Iran, Semnan using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of anti-HBs < 10 mIU/mL were considered to be negative and samples showing an anti-HBs titer ≥ 10 mIU/mL was considered protective.


RESULTS
Protective antibody levels were detected in 88% of the children less than 5 year after vaccination, decreased to 78% between 5 to 10 years after vaccination, and further declined to 74% in 10 years after vaccination, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The vaccination program has been proven effective in Semnan and immunological protection against hepatitis B infection was found in the majority of children even more than 10 years after being vaccinated.
M
M
Rezaei
S
S
Nooripoor
R
R
Ghorbani
F
F
Ramezanshams
S
S
Mamishi
S
S
Mahmoudi
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines