Hepatitis B Vaccination in End-Stage Pulmonary Disease Patients Evaluated for Lung Transplantation: A Retrospective Single-Center Evaluation.
BACKGROUND In times of limited organs for transplantation, anti-HBc-positive organs can be accepted for lung transplantation to increase the number of donors. Transplant recipients should be vaccinated against hepatitis B to prevent HBV infection. However, response after HBV vaccination has only been poorly evaluated in patients with end-stage pulmonary disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS Anti-HBs titers of 40 anti-HBc negative patients with end-stage pulmonary disease evaluated for lung transplantation were analyzed with the Architect® system (Abbott, Germany). Responders, partial responders, or non-responders after HBV vaccination were defined by anti-HBs titers >100 IU/L, 10-100 IU/L, and <10 IU/L, respectively. RESULTS There were 34/40 individuals (85%) vaccinated against hepatitis B, and 6 were not vaccinated. Response, partial response, and non-response after vaccination were observed in 10/34 (29.4%), 11/34 (32.4%), and 13/34 (38.2%) of patients, respectively. Response to vaccination did not correlate with sex, pulmonary disease, comorbidities, immunosuppressive therapy, or smoking status. CONCLUSIONS Although 85% of patients evaluated for lung transplantation were vaccinated against hepatitis B, 38.2% did not show an anti-HBs titer >10 IU/L. Thus, anti-HBs titers should be regularly monitored. Nonresponders should be considered for booster vaccinations, alternative vaccination schedules, or prophylactic treatment with a nucleos(t)ide analogue in case of transplantation of an anti-HBc-positive organ.
Deoartment of Pneumology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Alexandra
A
Wald
Deoartment of Pneumology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Lea
L
Deterding
Institute of Virology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Melanie
M
Maier
Institute of Virology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Uwe G
UG
Liebert
Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Thomas
T
Berg
Deoartment of Pneumology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Hubert
H
Wirtz
Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Johannes
J
Wiegand
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014611:Vaccination
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies