BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B vaccination in children born to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive mothers considerably decreases the risk of vertical transmission. However, whether this protection against carriage of hepatitis B virus is maintained into early adulthood is as yet unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A combined passive-active immunization programme for newborns of HBsAg-positive mothers was initiated in the north-eastern part of the Czech Republic in 1988. The number of immunized newborns had reached 665 newborns by the end of 2006. All mothers of immunized infants were HBsAg-positive during pregnancy, and 34 (5%) were also hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive. The immunization programme consists of providing newborns with protection at birth with hepatitis B immunoglobulin, followed by three 10-μg doses of plasma-derived or, since 1990, recombinant vaccine administered at 0, 1 and 6 months of life. Only 29 children of HBeAg-positive mothers received vaccine at 0, 1 and 2 months of life. Blood samples were obtained after immunization, at 2 years of age, and biennially thereafter. Samples were tested for HBsAg and hepatitis B surface and core antibodies (anti-HBs, anti-HBc). RESULTS: The immunization schedules were completed in 640 children. A protective anti-HBs level after immunization was proven in 574 of 620 children (93%). Persistence of protective anti-HBs antibodies was detected in 70, 40 and 25% of children at 5, 10 and 15 years of age. Vertical transmission with chronic HBsAg carrier status was detected in two infants. Anti-HBc seroconversion was proven in ten children from 3 to 15 years of age. Natural boosting with an anti-HBs increase was detected in 38 children (twice in one child). CONCLUSION: Our results show that combined active-passive immunization of newborns against hepatitis B provides persistent protection up to adolescence despite a frequent waning of anti-HBs antibodies, suggesting there is no need for booster vaccination during adolescence.
BACKGROUND:Hepatitis B vaccination in children born to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive mothers considerably decreases the risk of vertical transmission. However, whether this protection against carriage of hepatitis B virus is maintained into early adulthood is as yet unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A combined passive-active immunization programme for newborns of HBsAg-positive mothers was initiated in the north-eastern part of the Czech Republic in 1988. The number of immunized newborns had reached 665 newborns by the end of 2006. All mothers of immunized infants were HBsAg-positive during pregnancy, and 34 (5%) were also hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive. The immunization programme consists of providing newborns with protection at birth with hepatitis B immunoglobulin, followed by three 10-μg doses of plasma-derived or, since 1990, recombinant vaccine administered at 0, 1 and 6 months of life. Only 29 children of HBeAg-positive mothers received vaccine at 0, 1 and 2 months of life. Blood samples were obtained after immunization, at 2 years of age, and biennially thereafter. Samples were tested for HBsAg and hepatitis B surface and core antibodies (anti-HBs, anti-HBc). RESULTS: The immunization schedules were completed in 640 children. A protective anti-HBs level after immunization was proven in 574 of 620 children (93%). Persistence of protective anti-HBs antibodies was detected in 70, 40 and 25% of children at 5, 10 and 15 years of age. Vertical transmission with chronic HBsAg carrier status was detected in two infants. Anti-HBc seroconversion was proven in ten children from 3 to 15 years of age. Natural boosting with an anti-HBs increase was detected in 38 children (twice in one child). CONCLUSION: Our results show that combined active-passive immunization of newborns against hepatitis B provides persistent protection up to adolescence despite a frequent waning of anti-HBs antibodies, suggesting there is no need for booster vaccination during adolescence.
Authors: Laura L Hammitt; Thomas W Hennessy; Anthony E Fiore; Carolyn Zanis; Kimberlee Boyd Hummel; Eitel Dunaway; Lisa Bulkow; Brian J McMahon Journal: Vaccine Date: 2007-07-17 Impact factor: 3.641
Authors: M A B van der Sande; P Waight; M Mendy; P Rayco-Solon; P Hutt; T Fulford; C Doherty; S J McConkey; D Jeffries; A J Hall; H C Whittle Journal: J Infect Dis Date: 2006-04-25 Impact factor: 5.226
Authors: Iman I Salama; Samia M Sami; Zeinab Nabil Ahmed Said; Manal H El-Sayed; Lobna A El Etreby; Thanaa M Rabah; Dalia M Elmosalami; Amany T Abdel Hamid; Somaia I Salama; Aida M Abdel Mohsen; Hanaa M Emam; Safaa M Elserougy; Amal I Hassanain; Naglaa F Abd Alhalim; Fatma A Shaaban; Samia A Hemeda; Nihad A Ibrahim; Ammal M Metwally Journal: World J Hepatol Date: 2015-10-08
Authors: Timo Vesikari; Jin Xu; David R Johnson; Jessie Hall; Tomáš Marček; Michelle G Goveia; Camilo J Acosta; Andrew Wen-Tseng Lee Journal: Hum Vaccin Immunother Date: 2019-11-05 Impact factor: 3.452
Authors: Tom A Yates; Karthikeyan Paranthaman; Ly-Mee Yu; Elizabeth Davis; Sarah Lang; Scott J Hackett; Steven B Welch; Andrew J Pollard; Matthew D Snape Journal: Arch Dis Child Date: 2013-03-09 Impact factor: 3.791