title: [Is it necessary to revaccinate against hepatitis B virus when the titer of anti-HBs drops below 10 IU/L?]
abstract: Viral hepatitis B still represents a major epidemiological issue worldwide. After recombinant vaccine administration, a titer of anti-HBs antibodies ≥ 10 IU/L has long been considered to be seroprotective. Persons without this antibody level after complete vaccination are referred to as non-responders. A progressive decline in anti-HBs levels over years is also commonly seen in responders. Recently, there has been increasing evidence that the titer of anti-HBs ≥ 10 IU/L does not provide 100 % protection against infection and clinically manifest illness. Additionally, an important role of cellular immune memory has been demonstrated - without any correlation with anti-HBs titer. Based on current knowledge, there is no need for regular anti-HBs titer testing or booster vaccination in immunocompetent individuals with anti-HBs ≤ 10 IU/L. At present, regular serological testing and, if need be, revaccination to maintain anti-HBs ≥ 10 IU/L are recommended in immunocompromised persons and after liver transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Department of University Hospital Brno, Czech Republic, e-mail: pavel.polak@fnbrno.cz.
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Polák
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Husa
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smejkal
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kamelander
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chlupová
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Penka
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D008297:Male; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines