Antibody titres after primary and booster vaccination of infants and young children with a virosomal hepatitis A vaccine (Epaxal)

To evaluate the immunogenicity and tolerability of Epaxal in infants and children, 30 infants (aged 6-7 months) and 30 children (aged 5-7 years) received a single intramuscular dose of the aluminium-free virosomal hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccine Epaxal and a booster dose after 12 months. Anti-HAV antibody titres were measured at baseline (before injection), at 1 and 12 months after primary vaccination, and 1 month after the booster vaccination. Sixteen evaluable infants had maternal anti-HAV antibodies at baseline. Complete seroprotection (titre >/= 20 mIU/ml) was achieved by all infants and children at Month 1 and at Month 12. Additionally, all subjects showed a strong antibody response to booster vaccination. In infants without maternal anti-HAV antibodies, the response was four-fold higher than in those with maternal anti-HAV antibodies. Both doses of Epaxal were well tolerated. These preliminary data suggest that Epaxal is an effective hepatitis A vaccine for children and infants from 6 months of age.     

国产甲型肝炎灭活疫苗的安全性与免疫原性初步观察

目的 评价国产甲型肝炎灭活疫苗的安全性和免疫原性。方法 对健康易感儿童1％名和成人206名随机分为4组，107名儿童(A组)和131名成人(B组)接种国产甲肝灭活疫苗，另69名儿童(c组)和75名成人(D组)作为对照接种史克必成公司生产的甲肝灭活疫苗。国产疫苗剂量为儿童640EIU／1．0ml。成人1440EIU／1．0ml，对照疫苗剂量儿童720EIU／1．0ml，成人1440EIU／1．0ml，均采用0、6程序。观察72小时内局部和全身反应及免后1、6、7月的免疫应答水平。结果 所有接种对象均未出现明显局部和全身副反应，亦未发现免后ALT升高。初免后一个月A组和B组抗体阳性率分别为94．8％和96．7％，几何平均滴度为758．6mIU／ml和3630．8mIU／ml。全程免疫后一个月4组抗体阳性率均为100％，A组和B组抗体几何平均滴度上升至10471．2mIU／ml和12302．7mIU／m1，略高于对照的C组和D组(分别为3090．3mIU／d和3388．4mIU／ml)。结论 国产甲肝灭活疫苗具有良好安全性和免疫原性。     

国产甲型肝炎灭活疫苗在低龄儿童中应用的安全性和免疫原性研究

目的 探讨国产甲型肝炎灭活疫苗在低龄儿童（1－4岁）中应用的安全性和免疫原性。方法 选1－4岁易感健康儿童63名，随机分为两组，按0，3和0，6程序接种国产甲肝灭活疫苗500U／剂，观察免疫后的局部和全身反应，并检测初免后及全程免疫后的抗－HAV阳转率和抗体GMT。结果 初免和加强免疫后有轻微的过性局部和全身反应，未见肝功异常。初免后1、3、6个月抗体阳转率分别为85.7%、88.5%和83.8%；抗体GMT玢别为182mU/ml、225mU/ml和252mU/ml；0，3和0，6程序全程免疫后1个月抗体阳转率均为100％；抗体GMT分别为2718mU/ml和4683mU/ml。结论 国产甲肝灭活疫苗在低龄儿童中应用具有良好的安全性和免疫原性；接种两剂可获高滴度甲肝抗体；0，6程序优于0，3程序。     

Interchangeability and tolerability of two inactivated hepatitis A vaccines in Chinese children

In China, no data are available to evaluate the interchangeability between Chinese domestic inactivated hepatitis A vaccines (Healive) and imported inactivated hepatitis A vaccines (Havrix). A double-blind, randomized controlled study was to compare interchangeability and safety of Healive and Havrix among Chinese children. Vaccine was administered to 303 healthy children at 0 and 6 months in one of four vaccine regimens: Healive-Healive; Healive-Havrix; Havrix-Healive or Havrix-Havrix. We collected sera samples at 0 (before vaccination), 6 (before second dose) and 7 months (after second dose), and compared groups in terms of proportion of sero-conversions which is defined as ≥ 20 mIU/ml, and geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) of anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibody. Seroconversion rates were 133/133 (100%) for those received one dose of Healive and 105/131 (80.2%) for those received one dose of Havrix at 6 months, respectively (P<0.001), GMCs for Healive and Havrix were 126.1 and 40.9 mIU/ml (P<0.001), respectively. At 7 months, the seroconversion rate was 100% among all groups. The GMC after two doses of Healive was 8905.5 mIU/ml compared with 1900.9 mIU/ml after two doses of Havrix (P<0.001). The GMC in the Healive-Havrix group was 3275.8 mIU/ml compared with 4165.8 mIU/ml in the Havrix-Healive group (P=0.058). There is not different of reported adverse reactions across the groups. The present study indicated that both vaccines can be recommended for interchangeable using of immunization among Chinese healthy children.     

孩尔来福甲型肝炎灭活疫苗0,12个月免疫程序研究

目的　对孩尔来福 (HealiveR○)甲型肝炎 (甲肝 )灭活疫苗的安全性、免疫原性及适宜儿童的剂量进行研究。方法　在某山区两个农村筛选 4～ 10岁甲肝病毒抗体 (抗 HAV)阴性的 85名易感儿童。以自然村随机分为两组 ,按 0 ,12个月免疫程序分别接种北京科兴生物制品有限公司生产的每剂 2 50U 0 .5ml和 50 0U 1ml甲肝灭活疫苗 ,观察免疫后局部反应和全身反应 ,检测初次免疫 (初免 )后 2 1天、12个月及全程免疫后 1个月抗 HAV阳转率和抗体几何平均滴度 (GMT )。结果　两组均未见严重局部反应和全身反应 ;2 50U 0 .5ml组和 50 0U 1ml组初免后 2 1天 ,抗 HAV阳转率分别为94.4%和 10 0 .0 % ,GMT分别为 195mIU ml和 3 70mIU ml ;初免后 12个月抗 HAV全部阳转 ,GMT分别达 3 61mIU ml和 456mIU ml(P >0 .0 5) ;全程免疫后 1个月 ,GMT分别达 14 893mIU ml和2 1696mIU ml。结论　孩尔来福甲肝灭活疫苗的安全性和免疫原性好 ;每剂 2 50U 0 .5ml适宜儿童 ;0 ,12个月免疫程序更适宜中国儿童     

甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗与灭活疫苗不同免疫程序免疫后7年血清学效果观察

目的观察甲型肝炎（甲肝）减毒活疫苗（Hepatitis A Attenuated Live Vaccine,HepA-L）不同免疫程序免疫后7年的抗体持久性,并与甲肝灭活疫苗（Hepatitis A Inactivated Vaccine,HepA-I）进行比较。方法按个体随机的方法,把筛检出的甲肝易感者随机分为A、B、C三组。A组按0、6、12个月程序接种3剂国产H2株HepA-L,B、C两组按0、6个月程序分别接种HepA-L和HepA-I,分别于免疫后1、6、7、12、13、24、84个月采集血清标本,检测抗甲肝病毒抗体（Anti-hepatitis A Virus Antibody,Anti-HAV）总抗体。结果三组Anti-HAV阳性率均于接种第2剂后1个月达100%,抗体峰值几何平均浓度（Geometric Mean Concentration,GMC）以C组最高,为2938.1mIU/ml（毫国际单位/毫升）,A、B组分别为1315.6mIU/ml、1586.0mIU/ml。A组于12个月时再加强免疫1剂,抗体GMC上升,达1945.3mIU/ml。首剂免疫后84个月,Anti-HAV阳性率三组均保持100%,尽管A组抗体GMC降至336.8mIU/ml,仍显著高于B、C两组。结论HepA-L近期加强免疫效果良好,抗体反应与持久性同HepA-I相当,远期效果有待于进一步观察。     

Safety, immunogenicity and antibody persistence of an inactivated hepatitis A vaccine in 4 to 15 year old children.

Among 277 healthy Venezuelan children, aged between 4 and 15 years, who were screened for hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies, 118 seronegative children were enrolled in an open study. Each child received one dose of the Pasteur Mérieux Connaught inactivated hepatitis A vaccine (AVAXIM?trade mark omitted?, 160 antigen units), followed by a booster dose 24 weeks later. All seronegative subjects seroconverted 2 weeks after immunisation (antibody titres greater, similar20 mIU/ml), and antibody titres were still over greater, similar20 mIU/ml after 24 weeks, at the moment of the booster dose. The anti-HAV antibody geometric mean titre (GMT), as measured by a modified radio-immunoassay (HAVAB(R), Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL, USA), was 73.7 mIU/ml, 2 weeks after the first dose. Four weeks after the booster, the GMT value reached 6999 mIU/ml, representing a 29.6-fold rise from pre-booster levels. One year after the booster dose, the GMT value was 1673 mIU/ml in the 92 subjects who provided blood samples at this time, all of whom were still seroconverted ( greater, similar20 mIU/ml). No serious adverse event related to the vaccination occurred during the study. No immediate systemic reaction occurred. Local reactions were reported by 9.3% of subjects who received the primary injection and 5.5% of those given the booster dose. The systemic reactions were mainly fever and myalgia reported over the 7 days following the injection by 3.4% of subjects after the first dose and 5.5% of subjects after the booster dose. A clinically significant elevation of serum transaminase from pre-immunisation levels was noted in one subject (AST level 2.2 times the upper normal limit) 2 weeks after the first injection, although this was not associated with any clinical signs of impaired liver function. This trial demonstrated that AVAXIM?trade mark omitted? containing 160 antigen units is safe and highly immunogenic in healthy children aged between 4 and 15 years, and could be included in the childhood vaccination schedule to control infection in areas endemic for hepatitis A.     

Immunogenicity and safety of a virosomal hepatitis A vaccine in HIV-positive patients

This short report presents results of an open uncontrolled single centre study which evaluated immunogenicity and safety of a virosome-formulated hepatitis A vaccine (Epaxal) in 14 HIV-positive adult patients and 64 healthy adults receiving a primary immunisation and a booster dose 12 months later. Seroconversion rates (> or =20 mIU/mL), geometric mean concentration (GMC) of anti-HAV antibodies, local and systemic adverse events (AEs) were assessed at baseline and at Months 1, 6, 12, and 13. The seroconversion rate was 63.6% at Month 1 and 91.7% at Month 13 in HIV-positive patients versus 93.8 and 100% in healthy adults. The booster dose increased GMCs from 25.5 to 659.2 mIU/mL in HIV-positive patients versus 104 and 2986 mIU/mL in healthy adults. Epaxal was well tolerated by the HIV-positive patients and was at least as immunogenic as reported for aluminium-adsorbed vaccines. In conclusion, Epaxal can be considered an immunogenic and safe hepatitis A vaccine in HIV-positive patients.     

规范化H_2株甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗安全性及免疫原性研究

为考察提高满度后的规范化H2株甲型肝炎（甲肝）减毒活疫苗（滴度为107.0TCID50／ml）的安全性和免疫原性,在正定县的3个乡24个行政村调查了1～7岁儿童,经询问调查和血清检测．共筛出3515名儿童为观察对象,分为疫苗组和对照组．疫苗组在接种疫苗后观察临床反应并进行血清学随访．结果表明,该疫苗接种后3天内发热率与对照组无明显差异;免疫后2～3个月抗体阳转率和几何平均浓度达高峰,分别为94．9％～92．2％、131．3mIU／ml～126.2mIU／ml,免疫后6～12个月抗体阳性率和滴度呈平稳下降趋势。从而证实规范化H2株甲肝减毒活疫苗具有良好的安全性和免疫原性．     

Immunogenicity of two paediatric doses of monovalent hepatitis B or combined hepatitis A and B vaccine in 8-10-year-old children

Hepatitis A and B vaccines are highly immunogenic in three-dose schedules. To obtain an equivalent result in children with two paediatric doses would be of significant benefit. The purpose of this study was to measure the immunogenicity of a two-dose schedule in children with two licensed recombinant HBsAg containing vaccines given at paediatric doses, one of them combined with hepatitis A. Seven-hundred and four healthy school children aged 8-10 years were recruited in an open label study to receive either Twinrix Pediatric (360 El.U HAV antigen; 10 microg HBsAg) or Recombivax (2.5 microg HBsAg) vaccine intramuscularly 6 months apart. The seroconversion (>/=1 mIU/ml for anti-HBs antibodies and >/=33 mIU/ml for anti-HAV antibodies), seroprotection (anti-HBs >/=10 mIU/ml) rates and the geometric mean titers (GMTs) were determined 4-8 weeks after the second dose. The anti-HBs seroconversion rate was 97.1% with Twinrix and 97.2% with Recombivax. The seroprotection rates were 96.5 and 94.4%, respectively (P = 0.17). The GMT was higher with Twinrix than with Recombivax (3248 mIU/ml versus 742 mIU/ml, P < 0.0001). All the children vaccinated with Twinrix seroconverted to HAV and the GMT was 5168 mIU/ml. The obtained results suggest that two paediatric doses of hepatitis vaccines are highly immunogenic in 8-10-year-old children. This schedule could facilitate a greater vaccine acceptance and the addition of hepatitis A vaccine to existing adolescent universal hepatitis B virus immunization programs.     

Immunological priming of one dose of inactivated hepatitis A vaccine given during the first year of life in presence of maternal antibodies

BACKGROUND: In hepatitis A virus (HAV)-seronegative infants, inactivated hepatitis A vaccines are highly immunogenic. On the contrary, in infants who are HAV-seropositive before vaccination, the interfering effect of passively-transferred maternal anti-HAV antibodies leads to lower post-primary immunization anti-HAV levels, as compared to those achieved by seronegative infants. One possible way to overcome this drawback is to delay hepatitis A vaccination later during the first year of life. The objective of the study was to document the immunogenicity of an inactivated hepatitis A vaccine in 6 months old HAV-seropositive infants, given as two dose regimen consisting of a single primary immunization at 6 months of age, followed by a booster dose 6 months later. METHODS: The immunogenicity of one hepatitis A vaccine (Avaxim pediatric, Aventis Pasteur) was documented in 108 6 months old, HAV-seropositive infants randomly assigned to receive one priming dose of hepatitis A vaccine either concomitantly with (Group 2) or 2 weeks after the third dose of routine diphteria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis reconstituting lyophilized tetanus conjugated Haemophilus influenzae type b (DTwcP//PRP approximately T) vaccine and oral poliomyelitis vaccine (OPV) (Group 1). A booster dose was given 6 months later, concomitantly with MMR vaccine. RESULTS: The 91 infants who were HAV-seropositive (ELISA titer >20 mIU/ml) at the moment of primo vaccination remained seropositive 1 month later. Geometric mean titers (GMT) decreased from 292 and 278 mIU/ml 1 month after the first dose, to 77.6 and 76.0 mIU/ml 6 months after, in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Post-booster titers increased markedly in both groups, with GMTs of 1731 and 1866 mIU/ml and geometric mean post/pre-immunization titer ratios of 22.3 and 24.6, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that immunological priming induced by a single dose of Avaxim pediatric administered to 6 or 6.5 months old, HAV-seropositive infants is present and should not preclude the use of this vaccine in such populations.     

成人和儿童接种国产甲型肝炎灭活疫苗的安全性与免疫原性的初步观察

为了评价国产甲型肝炎 (甲肝 )灭活疫苗的安全性和免疫原性 ,将 176名健康易感儿童和 2 0 6名成人随机分为 4组 ,10 7名儿童 (A组 )和 131名成人 (B组 )接种国产甲肝灭活疫苗 ,另 6 9名儿童 (C组 )和 75名成人 (D组 )作为对照接种史克必成公司生产的甲肝灭活疫苗。国产疫苗剂量为儿童 6 4 0EU/1 0ml,成人 12 80EU/1 0ml;对照疫苗剂量儿童 72 0EIU/1 0ml,成人 14 4 0EIU/1 0ml,均采用 0、6个月免疫程序。观察 72h内局部和全身反应 ,免疫后 1、6、7个月的免疫应答水平。结果显示 :所有接种对象均未出现明显的局部和全身副反应 ,亦未发现免疫后丙氨酸氨基转移酶 (ALT)升高。初次免疫后 1个月 ,A组和B组抗体阳转率分别为 94 8%和 96 7% ,几何平均滴度(GMT)为 75 8 6mIU/ml和 36 30 8mIU/ml。全程免疫后 1个月 ,4个组抗体阳转率均为 10 0 % ,A组和B组抗体GMT升至 10 4 71 2mIU/ml和 12 30 2 7mIU/ml,略高于对照的C组和D组 (分别为 30 90 3mIU/ml和3388 4mIU/ml)。表明国产甲肝灭活疫苗具有良好安全性和免疫原性。     

Antibody response to hepatitis B re-vaccination in HIV-infected children with immune recovery on highly active antiretroviral therapy

Despite a history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination prior to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), most of HIV-infected children do not have protective antibody to HBV infection. The efficacy of an additional booster dose in children with immune recovery on HAART remains unknown. This study was conducted to determine the response rate of HBV antibody after re-vaccination in HIV-infected children with immune recovery on HAART. Sixty-three successfully HAART-treated HIV-infected children with history of prior HBV vaccination received 10microg doses of recombinant HBV vaccine (Government Pharmaceutical Organization-Merieux Biological Product, Bangkok, Thailand) intramuscularly at 0, 2 and 6 months. The vaccine response rates were 17.4, 82.5, and 92.1% at 2, 6 and 7 months after the first dose of vaccine, respectively. Plasma HIV RNA level below the limit of detection at the time of re-vaccination was associated with successful vaccine response. HIV-infected children with immune recovery after HAART are likely to benefit from three-dose HBV re-vaccination.     

倍尔来福TM甲、乙型肝炎联合疫苗安全性和免疫原性研究

目的 观察倍尔来福~(TM)甲、乙型肝炎(甲、乙肝)联合疫苗的安全性和免疫原性。方法以高中一年级(成人组)和小学1～5年级(儿童组)学生为研究对象,按对甲、乙肝病毒均易感、只对甲肝病毒易感和只对乙肝病毒易感分为AB组、A组和B组,按0、1和6个月三剂程序分别接种甲、乙肝联合疫苗、灭活甲肝疫苗和重组乙肝疫苗。疫苗剂量成人组每剂含甲肝病毒抗原500U和(或)HBsAg10μg,儿童组减半。疫苗接种后72h内观察副反应,免疫后2、7个月采集血清标本检测抗-HAV和抗-HBs。结果 儿童AB组和成人AB组局部副反应发生率分别为0.58％(2/344)和2.56％(8/312),全身副反应发生率分别为9.88％(34/344)和5.45％(17/212),与对照组相比差异无显著性。局部反应主要是轻度疼痛,全身反应主要是低热。免疫后7个月,两组抗-HAV阳转率均为100％,与A组相同;抗体滴度(GMT)分别为33 910mIU/ml和23 435 mIU/ml,显著高于A组;两组抗-HBs阳转率分别为97.30％和96.63％;GMT为103 mIU/ml和102 mIU/ml,抗-HBs阳转率及GMT均与B组差异无显著性。结论 倍尔来福~(TM)甲、乙肝联合疫苗与单价甲肝灭活疫苗和单价重组乙肝疫苗具有相同的安全性和免疫原性。     

Measles antibody responses after early two dose trials in Guinea-Bissau with Edmonston-Zagreb and Schwarz standard-titre measles vaccine: better antibody increase from booster dose of the Edmonston-Zagreb vaccine

In Guinea-Bissau, children were randomised at 6 months of age to receive either two doses of standard-titre measles vaccine at 6 and 9 months of age or an inactivated polio vaccine at 6 months and standard-titre measles vaccine at 9 months of age. During the first 5 months, children received Edmonston-Zagreb (EZ) vaccine and during the following 11 months, the Schwarz (SW) vaccine. Five percent of the mothers, 74% of children at 6 months of age, and 92% of unvaccinated children at 9 months of age had unprotective levels (<125 mIU/ml) of measles antibodies. Among children receiving EZ vaccine, 1% were unprotected at 18 months of age after either two (3/240) or one (3/211) doses of vaccine, the geometric mean measles antibody titre (GMT) being approximately 1550 mIU/ml in both groups. Among those receiving SW vaccine 9% (34/365) and 3% (9/310) were unprotected at 18 months of age in the two-dose and the one-dose groups (RR = 3.21 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.56-6.58)), respectively. The GMT was higher after one dose of SW vaccine at 9 months of age (2491 mIU/ml) than after two doses of SW vaccine (1125 mIU) (P < 0.001). In the EZ vaccine group, there was no significant difference in antibody level for children vaccinated in the presence of high or low levels of maternal antibodies, whereas there was a marked difference in the SW group. The second EZ vaccine induced a significant antibody increase between 9 months of age (1191 mIU) and 18 months of age (1602 mIU, P=0.011), whereas antibody levels tended to decline from 9 months (1243 mIU) to 18 months of age (998 mIU, P = 0.124) after the second dose of SW vaccine. Conclusively, after two doses of EZ measles vaccine more children were protected at 18 months of age than after two doses of SW. One dose of SW provided the highest antibody response, but a higher proportion of unprotected than one or two doses of EZ. The EZ vaccine was less sensitive to maternal antibodies, and able to increase the antibody response by revaccination, while the second SW vaccine resulted in an unchanged or lower antibody response.     

Hepatitis A vaccination of Argentinean infants: comparison of two vaccination schedules

BACKGROUND: Early immunization to protect infants against hepatitis A (HA) is recommended in intermediate or high endemic areas of the world, but little is known of the effects of maternal antibodies on the immune response. We studied the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of an inactivated HA vaccine administered in two different schedules to 2-month-old infants in an intermediate/high endemic area in Argentina. METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized study 131 infants received either three doses (at 2, 4, 6 months of age [Group A]) or one dose (at 6 months of age [Group B]) of the pediatric inactivated HA vaccine, Avaxim 80, and a booster dose at 15-18 months. HAV antibodies were measured (ELISA) at 2, 7, 15-18 and 16-19 months of age. Immediate (30 min after injection) and solicited local and systemic reactions were recorded for 7 days after each injection. RESULTS: Of 107/131 subjects (81.6%) who completed the study and who provided final serum samples after booster dose, 94 (87.8%) were seropositive at enrolment (>20 mIU/mL) with geometric mean concentrations (GMC) of 2989 and 3637 mIU/mL in Groups A and B, respectively. One month post-booster GMCs were 8236 mIU/ml (95% CI; 6304, 10760) and 1687 mIU/ml (1148, 2479) in Groups A and B, respectively, with 100% seroprotection. CONCLUSIONS: The HA vaccine was well tolerated and induced immunological priming in both groups during the first year of life in spite of the presence of maternal antibodies. Post-booster GMCs achieved after one or three primary doses suggest a long-term protection against HA.     

Long-term immunogenicity after single and booster dose of a live attenuated hepatitis A vaccine: results from 8-year follow-up

Live, attenuated hepatitis A vaccines are used widely in China but there is uncertainty regarding the persistence of vaccine-induced anti-HAV antibodies after single dose and booster dose administrated at month 12. A large scale clinical trial to evaluate the live, attenuated hepatitis A vaccine was conducted in Hebei province between 1996 and 1999. Five years after the trials, children in single dose and booster dose groups were bled and followed. Seventy two percent (61/85) of children who received a single trial dose had detectable anti-HAV antibodies for 96 months (GMC at 96 months: 89.0 mIU/mL). In the booster group 98% (48/49) children remained anti-HAV positive with GMC of 262.8 mIU/mL at month 96. The reinjection with live attenuated HAV vaccine can elicit a booster effect. Results from single dose group seems not to support the need for booster doses of live attenuated hepatitis A vaccine in immunocompetent individuals regarding the persisting anti-HAV and anamnestic response of a single dose vaccine. Continued monitoring of anti-HAV antibodies is needed for a rational hepatitis A immunization strategy in China.     

Evaluation of immune responses to combined hepatitis A and B vaccine in HIV-infected children and children on immunosuppressive medication

Objective

A phase IV interventional study with a combined hepatitis A and B vaccine was conducted in HIV-infected children and children receiving immunosuppressive medication for treatment of rheumatic diseases to evaluate immune responses.

Methods

Both groups (1–16 years of age) received combined (inactivated) HAV and (rDNA) HBV vaccine Ambirix^® at months 0 and 6. Serum samples were taken at four time points and tested for anti-HAV and anti-HBs antibodies. Anti-HAV concentrations ≥20 mIU/mL or anti-HBs concentrations ≥10 mIU/mL were considered protective. Seropositivity percentages were calculated and geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) were compared by nonparametric Mann–Whitney U-test or Kruskal–Wallis one-way-analysis-of-variance.

Results

Of 80 HIV-infected children who completed the study, 67 were HAV-susceptible and 68 HBV-susceptible at enrolment. Of 80 children with rheumatic diseases who completed the study, 65 were HAV-susceptible and 74 HBV-susceptible at enrolment. Immune responses to HAV after first dose of vaccine in both study groups were low: 71% and 55% respectively, whereas immune responses after the second dose were 99% and 100% respectively. Immune response to HBV after first dose of vaccine in both groups was also low: 27% and 17% respectively. Immune responses after the second dose were 97% and 93%, respectively. A larger proportion of children on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and of children with viral load <50 copies/mL responded to HBV, and also showed a significantly higher GMC.

Conclusions

Although immune response after full series of combined HAV and HBV vaccine in both groups was excellent and comparable to healthy children, a substantial proportion of both groups was not protected for HAV after first dose of vaccine. This protection gap is especially important for HAV in travel health and postexposure prophylactic treatment: both groups of children should be serologically tested for anti-HAV prior to travel to ensure protection if there is no time to await second dose of vaccine.     

Interchangeability and tolerability of a virosomal and an aluminum-adsorbed hepatitis A vaccine

The interchangeability of virosomal (Epaxal) and aluminum-adsorbed (Havrix 1440) hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccines was studied in 111 healthy adults who were vaccinated in a randomized, single-blind, crossover clinical trial. Anti-HAV antibody titers were measured at days 0 (first dose), 14, and 28, and months 3, 6, 12 (second dose), 13, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72. Most subjects (>95%) had sero-converted 14 days after the first dose of either vaccine. The second dose with either vaccine induced a high antibody response in all vaccines, irrespective of the type of vaccine administered as the first dose. Although both vaccines were well tolerated, the incidence of local adverse events (in particular pain) was significantly lower in subjects receiving the virosomal vaccine. Six-year follow-up data did not reveal any significant differences between the vaccination groups.     

Pre-vaccine plasma levels of soluble inflammatory indices negatively predict responses to HAV,HBV, and tetanus vaccines in HCV and HIV infection

BackgroundChronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV infections are associated with impaired responses to neo-antigens contained in hepatitis A virus (HAV)/hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccines, yet responsible mechanisms are unclear.MethodsACTG 5232 and CFAR0910 were clinical trials where pre-vaccine levels of plasma IP10, IL-6, sCD163 and sCD14 were measured in viremic HCV- (n = 15) or HIV-infected participants (n = 24) and uninfected controls (n = 10). Accelerated dosing HAV/HBV vaccine and tetanus booster were administered and antibody response was measured at 0, 1, 3, 8, and 24 weeks.ResultsPre-vaccine plasma IP10, IL-6, and sCD14 levels were elevated in both HCV and HIV-infected participants, while sCD163 was also elevated in HCV-infected participants. Pre-immunization tetanus antibody levels were lower in HIV-infected than in uninfected participants, while vaccine induced antibody responses were intact in HCV and HIV-infected participants. After HAV/HBV vaccination, HCV and HIV-infected participants had lower and less durable HAV and HBV antibody responses than uninfected controls.Among HCV-infected participants, pre-vaccine plasma IP10, IL-6, sCD14, and sCD163 levels inversely correlated with HAV, HBV and tetanus antibody responses after vaccine. Low HAV/HBV vaccine responses in HIV-infected participants prohibited assessment of immune correlates.ConclusionsDuring HCV and HIV infection markers of systemic inflammation reflect immune dysfunction as demonstrated by poor response to HAV/HBV neo-antigen vaccine.