Immune response to second vaccination series of hepatitis B virus among booster dose non-responders

ObjectiveTo evaluate the response to second vaccination series among post-booster sero-negative children who had previously received compulsory HBV vaccination.Subjects and methodsAfter given a booster dose to 1070 children, 103 of them failed to generate anamnestic response (anti-HBs <10 IU/L). Only 91/103 children received additional two doses of recombinant HBV vaccine (i.e. 2^nd vaccination series) after 1 and 6 months post-booster. Blood sample was withdrawn aseptically one month later for quantitative assessment of anti-HBs to detect development of protective immune response (≥10 IU/L). Immunological vaccination failure was assigned to children who did not develop protective immune response after 2^nd vaccination series.ResultsProtective immune response was detected among 84/91 children (92.3%). While 7/91 (7.7%) whose age were ≥10 years did not respond and had post-booster undetectable anti-HBs. About 80% of children with post-booster detectable anti-HBs showed significant protective immune response (anti-HBs ≥100 IU/L) and higher GMT (299.1 ± 3.6 IU/L) compared to those with undetectable 60% and 106.2 ± 12.9 IU/L respectively (P < 0.05). No significant difference was detected as regards gender or residence, P > 0.05. All children with history of rheumatic fever (7 children) or diabetes mellitus (1 child) developed immune response after 2^nd vaccination series.ConclusionA booster dose of HB vaccine may be unable to induce sufficient immunological response in children who had undetectable anti-HBs titers. Revaccination for non-responders is an important procedure to increase HBV protection rate.     

北京市海淀区新生儿乙型肝炎疫苗免疫效果分析

目的评价北京市海淀区新生儿12月龄内全程接种10μg酵母乙型肝炎疫苗(Hepatitis B vaccine,HepB)免疫效果。方法于2009年8~9月对在京居住时间≥6个月、12月龄内完成全程HepB接种的儿童家长进行调查,获得儿童一般情况、居住地区性质、HepB接种情况、体重、身长、出生时体重、是否早产、母亲分娩方式、喂养方式、母亲乙肝表面抗原(Hepatitis B surface antigen,HBsAg)和乙肝e抗原(Hepatitis B e antigen,HBeAg)、父亲HBsAg情况等数据,采集被调查儿童静脉血标本2 ml,定量检测乙肝表面抗体(抗-HBs)和HBsAg。结果共调查7~15月龄儿童691名,纳入分析666名,儿童无HBsAg阳性出现,抗-HBs阳性(≥10 IU/L)率达99.8%(665/666),抗-HBs浓度最小的6.99 IU/L,最大的超过15 000 IU/L,平均几何浓度(geometric mean concentration,GMC)为1 527.0 IU/L,中位数为1 337.2 IU/L;男童抗-HBs GMC(1 719.1 IU/L)和女童(1 342.2 IU/L)、采血时间距HepB3间隔≥60 d的儿童GMC(1 342.2 IU/L)和60 d的儿童GMC(1 342.2 IU/L)比较,差异有统计学意义(F=7.222,P=0.007;F=36.487,P0.001);抗-HBs阳性的儿童中,低应答率(抗-HBs≥10 IU/L且100 IU/L)1.2%,中应答率(抗-HBs≥100 IU/L且1 000 IU/L)34.0%,高应答率64.8%。结论北京市海淀区新生儿12月龄内全程接种HepB后,产生的抗-HBs阳性率高。抗-HBs阳性的儿童中,抗-HBs GMC随着采血时间和HepB3间隔的延长而降低,男童抗-HBs GMC高于女童。     

Immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in haemodialysis patients

Widespread vaccination of haemodialysis patients had occurred during the year 1999 as a result of the promulgation of the Ministry of Health & Population. To our knowledge, this might be the first study in Egypt concerning post-vaccination response in haemodialysis patients and possible risk factors influencing this response. Eighty-three haemodialysis patients vaccinated with 10 microg dose of recombinant hepatitis B Merck Sharp vaccine at 0, 1 and 6 months were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were withdrawn one month after the third dose and sera were tested for anti-HBc to exclude those who had previous HBV exposure and for quantitative determination of antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) using commercial enzyme immunoassay kits. Routine analysis for anti-HIV, anti-HCV and HBsAg every 3 months is done for all haemodialysis patients in the governmental sector. Only 65 patients negative for both anti-HBc and HBsAg were considered eligible for evaluating the immunogenicity of the vaccine. Seroconversion rate (anti-HBs>10 mlU/ml) was detected in 64.6% and adequate response (anti-HBs>100 mlU/ml) was achieved in 38% only. Non-responders were 35.4% reflecting the profound immune suppression in haemodialysis patients. Seroconversion rate was 84.2% in patients below 40 years of age and dropped to 33.3% in those 60 years or above. Seroconversion was significantly higher in females than males (76.5% vs. 51.6%). HCV infection was strikingly high among dialyzed patients (78.5%). Seroconversion rate was 58.8% in HCV-infected and 85.7% in non HCV-infected haemodialysis patients. Neither the duration of haemodialysis nor the frequency of blood transfusions had any significant association with seroconversion rate.     

Immune response to hepatitis B vaccination in drug using populations: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis

Injecting and non-injecting drug users are at increased risk of contracting HBV infection, and show lower antibody response to hepatitis B vaccination compared to the general population. This systematic review and meta-regression analysis aimed to estimate seroprotection rates and identify host or vaccine factors associated with varying immune response following hepatitis B vaccination in drug using populations. Original research articles were searched using online databases (Medline, PubMed, and Embase) and from reference lists of eligible articles. HBV vaccine intervention studies reporting seroprotection rates in drug users, published in English during or after 1989 were eligible. Of 978 citations reviewed, 11 studies were eligible and included for final analysis. The reported seroprotection rates ranged from 54.5% to 97.1%. The studies were significantly heterogeneous (Q = 180.850, p = 0.000). Measurement of anti-HBs antibody at 2 months after the third vaccine dose (RR = 2.62, 95%CI = 1.16–5.94, p = 0.026) was significantly associated with higher seroprotection rates compared to measurement at 1 month and 6 month following third vaccine dose. Age, gender, current drug use, vaccine dose and schedule, anti-HBc, anti-HCV and anti-HIV antibody seropositivity, and proportion of IDU study population did not show a significant association with seroprotection rates. Recommendations for future research include the definition of a standardized time point for the measurement of anti-HBs antibody levels, to enhance comparability of the immune response between different studies. Studies should strive to accurately report all potentially relevant factors affecting immune response to vaccine. Long-term follow up studies are needed to assess the seroprotection status in drug using populations receiving hepatitis B vaccine by standard or accelerated schedules.     

Immune response to hepatitis B vaccination among people with inflammatory bowel diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionThe response rate to hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is low and varies markedly. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the response rate to HBV vaccination and identified the factors predictive of an immune response.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases, and reviewed the titles and abstracts of studies on the efficacy of HBV vaccination in IBD patients performed through July 2016. Anti-HBs levels > 10 IU/L was considered to be an effective immune response. The primary outcome measure was the response rate to HBV vaccination after series completion, and the secondary outcome was identification of factors at baseline predictive of an immune response.ResultsThirteen studies including 1688 patients were eligible for inclusion. Based on a random-effects model, the pooled rate of a response to HBV vaccination among patients with IBD was 61% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 53–69). Young age (mean difference [MD]: −5.7; 95% CI: −8.46, −2.95) and vaccination during disease remission (relative risk [RR]: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.15–2.29) were associated with a positive response to HBV vaccination. In addition, no immunosuppressive therapy was predictive of an immune response compared to immunomodulatory (RR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.08–1.63) or anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (anti-TNF-α) (RR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.19–2.08) therapy.ConclusionsBased on this meta-analysis, only three of five IBD patients will show a serological response to HBV vaccination. Vaccination should be performed at the time of IBD diagnosis, during disease remission, or before starting immunosuppressive therapy.     

Immune response to hepatitis B vaccine with high antigen content in non-responders after standard primary vaccination in Chinese adults

Context

Alternative schedules are needed to provide greater immunogenicity in adults who fail to respond to the standard hepatitis B (HB) vaccine regimen.

Objective

To evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of high antigen content HB vaccine formulations administered to non-responders after routine primary vaccination.

Design setting, and participants

This was a phase III, double-blind, controlled clinical trial in China. We enrolled healthy participants (16–60 years old) seronegative for HB surface (HBs) antigen after primary vaccination, who had HBs antibody (anti-HBs) titres <10 mIU/ml at 28 days following routine vaccination with licensed HB vaccine containing 10 μg of antigen. Participants were randomised (2:2:1) to receive three booster doses of HB vaccine formulations containing 60 μg, 30 μg or 10 μg of antigen per dose 28 days apart. Blood samples were obtained pre-vaccination and 28 days after each dose to assess immunogenicity. Reactogenicity and safety were evaluated up to 28 days after each vaccine dose.

Results

Seroconversion rates were ≥92.1% and ≥87.1% as from the second dose of the 60 μg and 30 μg HB vaccine formulations, respectively, with geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) of ≥286.0 mIU/ml and ≥164.0 mIU/ml. In the 10 μg HB vaccine group the seroconversion rates were ≥83.0% and the GMCs ≥110.1 mIU/ml as from the second vaccine dose. All HB vaccine formulations were well tolerated: 352/1091 (32.3%) participants reported at least one injection-site or systemic adverse reaction (145/434 [33.4%] from the 60 μg group; 138/435 [31.7%] from the 30 μg group and 69/222 [31.1%] from the 10 μg group). Most reactions were mild or moderate and resolved within 24 h. No serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

Booster vaccination with a three-dose schedule of a high antigen content HB vaccine formulation was immunogenic and well tolerated in healthy adults.

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier

NCT01203319.     

Immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in parenteral drug abusers.

Responsiveness was assessed to a programme of vaccination of hepatitis B vaccine in a cohort of 197 intravenous drug addicts (mean age, 23.7 years) and their antibody response was compared with that of 271 healthy controls (mean age, 24.2 years). All participants were seronegative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs). The vaccination schedule consisted of three intramuscular injections (deltoid area) at months 0, 1 and 2. Although 70% of parenteral drug abusers received the three doses of vaccination, only 43.6% were evaluable for immune response. Fifty-eight per cent of heroin addicts and 80% of controls had evidence of anti-HBs seroconversion at 1 month after vaccination (chi 2 = 15.52, p less than 0.001). Geometric mean antibody titres were also significantly higher in controls (69.1 IU l-1; confidence interval 95%, 56.83 and 84.04) than in parenteral drug abusers (18.2 IU l-1; confidence interval 95%, 12.85 and 25.73) (F = 20.951, p less than 0.0001). The anti-HBs response was not influenced by coexistent anti-HBc, HCV antibody or HIV antibody seropositivity.     

乙型肝炎疫苗不同接种程序对成人的免疫效果及持久性观察

[目的]评价成人按\     

Immune response to the hepatitis B vaccine among HIV-infected adults in Uganda

BackgroundCo-infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is common in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and can rapidly progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent data demonstrate ongoing HBV transmission among HIV-infected adults in SSA, suggesting that complications of HIV/HBV co-infection could be prevented with HBV vaccination. Because HBV vaccine efficacy is poorly understood among HIV-infected persons in SSA, we sought to characterize the humoral response to the HBV vaccine in HIV-seropositive Ugandan adults.MethodsWe enrolled HIV-infected adults in Kampala, Uganda without serologic evidence of prior HBV infection. Three HBV vaccine doses were administered at 0, 1 and 6 months. Anti-HBs levels were measured 4 weeks after the third vaccine dose. “Response” to vaccination was defined as anti-HBs levels ≥ 10 IU/L and “high response” as ≥ 100 IU/L. Regression analysis was used to determine predictors of response.ResultsOf 251 HIV-positive adults screened, 132 (53%) had no prior HBV infection or immunity and were enrolled. Most participants were women [89 (67%)]; median (IQR) age was 32 years (27–41), and 68 (52%) had received antiretroviral therapy (ART) for > 3 months. Median (IQR) CD4 count was 426 (261–583), and 64 (94%) of the 68 receiving ART had undetectable plasma HIV RNA. Overall, 117 (92%) participants seroconverted to the vaccine (anti-HBs ≥ 10 IU/L), with 109 (86%) participants having high-level response (anti-HBs ≥ 100 IU/L). In multivariate analysis, only baseline CD4 > 200 cells/mm3 was associated with response [OR = 6.97 (1.34–34.71), p = 0.02] and high-level response [OR = 4.25 (1.15–15.69)], p = 0.03].ConclusionHBV vaccination was effective in eliciting a protective humoral response, particularly among those with higher CD4 counts. Half of the screened patients did not have immunity to HBV infection, suggesting a large at-risk population for HBV infection among HIV-positive adults in Uganda. Our findings support including HBV vaccination as part of routine care among HIV-positive adults.     

婴儿期的年龄别体重与幼儿期乙肝疫苗应答的关联

目的 探讨婴儿期的年龄别体重与幼儿期儿童乙肝疫苗应答是否有关联。方法 2013年9月~2015年6月在新疆某三甲医院纳入检测乙肝两对半并完成0~1~6全程接种的儿童,并调查回顾其疫苗接种信息以及0~12月龄身高体重、父母一般情况、母亲孕期、儿童出生情况等。使用年龄别体重及其Z评分（weight for age Z score,WAZ）、年龄别体重偏离情况作为评价体格生长的指标,分析与乙肝疫苗应答的关联。结果 965名儿童纳入研究,男孩490人,女孩475人;平均年龄（1.34±0.56）岁,乙肝抗体阴性儿童占15.23%（147/965）,抗体阴性组与阳性组父母一般情况、母亲孕期、儿童出生情况比较,差异均无统计学意义（均有P>0.05）。两组儿童1、3、6、9月龄别体重差异均有统计学意义（均有P<0.05）,阴性组高于阳性组。两组儿童1、3、6年龄WAZ、体重偏离情况差异均有统计学意义（均有P<0.05）;1月龄（OR=3.409,95%CI:2.199~5.286）、3月龄（OR=5.339,95%CI:3.128~9.113）、6月龄（OR=5.106,95%CI:2.910~8.958）超重者相对正常者的乙肝疫苗不应答率较高;1月龄（OR=3.554,95%CI:2.249~5.616）、3月龄（OR=5.785,95%CI:3.271~10.232）、6月龄（OR=4.486,95%CI:2.642~7.619）体重右偏离者相对正常者的乙肝疫苗不应答率较高。结论 接种期（0~6月龄）体重对乙肝疫苗应答有影响,体格生长过快影响乙肝疫苗应答。     

Immune response in infants after universal high-dose hepatitis B vaccination: A community-based study in Beijing,China

BackgroundVaccination of infants beginning at birth is recommended to prevent Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in China. Compared to 5 μg/dose vaccine administered in other regions in China, a three-dose HB recombinant yeast vaccine at 10 μg/dose has been administered for infants within 24 h after birth, 1 month and 6 months of age in Beijing since 2006. In a community-based retrospective cohort study, factors influencing immunologic vaccine response were evaluated.MethodsA total of 3670 infants who completed a 3-dose 10 μg recombinant HB vaccine regimen and born to hepatitis B antigen negative mothers were included. The effect on anti-HBs titers of maternal nutrient status, infants’ birth condition, growth factors, timeliness of vaccination, dosing interval and the interval until post-vaccination serologic testing (PVST) were evaluated.ResultsA total of 3666 infants with no markers of HBV infection were included in analysis. The mean anti-HB titers were 1767.17 mIU/ml. Only 16.9% of the infants completed their PVST within 30–59 days after the final dose of vaccination. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that delay in PVST (β = −0.097, p < 0.0001) and maternal folic acid supplementation (β = 0.067, p = 0.002) were associated with log-transformed anti-HB titers. Also a trend toward significant association was observed between the calcium supplementation of infants and log-transformed anti-HBs titers (β = 0.062, p = 0.057). Longer interval between dose 2 and dose 3 was not observed to increase the anti-HB titers after cofactors adjustment.ConclusionsOur findings illustrate the importance of timing of PVST to avoid unnecessary revaccination. Multi-center large cohort studies should verify the effect and magnitude of folate and calcium supplementation on HB vaccine response.     

Factors associated with inadequate response to hepatitis B vaccination in health care personnel

BACKGROUND: The recombinant hepatitis B vaccine provides immunity in approximately 95% of all cases, but there is a certain percentage which responds insufficiently. The purpose of this work consists of assessing the factors which are linked to an inadequate immune response. METHODS: This is an observational, analytical study in which a retrospective follow-up is made of a group of subjects vaccinated to prevent against hepatitis B (HBV). The variables of interest of the health care personnel meeting the requirements to be included in this study in Health Care District No. 9 of the Autonomous Region of Valencia (No. 827) were gathered. Following vaccination, the titration of surface antibodies (antiHB's) was determined for checking the response, levels of over 10 m UI/ml being considered to provide protection. RESULTS: An adequate serum changeover was achieved in 94.4% of those vaccinated. The low-degree or zero response to the vaccine was significantly linked independently to variables such as male gender, age, the body mass index (BMI) and the habit of smoking. Drinking alcohol and the levels of GPT, although they did not react significantly with the response to the vaccine, were possibly misleading factors. CONCLUSION: The immunogenicity of this vaccine is satisfactory. It is important to quantify the levels of antiHB's, especially when factors predicting a poor response are involved. Therefore, it is possible to identify those which require a booster shot and those showing no response, hence avoiding situations involving a false sense of being protected against HBV.     

Factors predicting response to hepatitis B vaccination in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Hepatitis-B-seronegative patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) should be vaccinated. However, response to vaccination in this population seems to be poorer than in healthy people. The aim of this study is to assess which clinical, analytical and immunosuppressive therapy parameters affect the response to hepatitis B vaccination in patients with IBD. A follow-up including monitoring of the immunosuppressive therapy of a cohort of 123 patients with IBD was carried out after each round of vaccination against hepatitis B virus. The recombinant HBsAg vaccine (20 μg) was administered using the standard regimen (0, 1 and 6 months). Anti-HBs values >10 IU/L after 1–3 months post-vaccination were considered as a successful response to vaccination. One hundred and five patients (85.5%) completed the programme and response to vaccination was observed in 50 (47.6%) patients. Multivariate analysis showed an independent relationship, with weaker response to vaccination, for IBD duration equal to or longer than 110 months [adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.282 (0.114–0.701)], serum albumin levels below 3.6 mg/dl at the beginning of vaccination [adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.336 (0.112–1.009)], and corticosteroid therapy in more than one vaccination dose [adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.333 (0.135–0.820)]. This study confirms the poor response to hepatitis B vaccination in patients with IBD, being particularly weak in individuals with long-term IBD progression, low serum albumin levels and those on corticosteroid therapy.     

HLA and response to booster hepatitis B vaccination in anti-HBs-seronegative adolescents who had received primary infantile vaccination

To explore contemporarily genetic and non-genetic determinants of long-term immunological memory to hepatitis B (HB) vaccination, we conducted a case-control study nested in an adolescent cohort of booster recipients who had received primary infantile HB vaccination but with residual anti-HBs titers <10 mIU/mL at 15-18 years of age. High-resolution phenotypes of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A, -B, and -DRB1 loci were determined by sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe hybridization. After controlling for pre-booster anti-HBs levels, the absences of HLA-A*02 and -DRB1*08, simply expressed as A*02(-) and -DRB1*08(-), and the presence of B*15 were significantly associated with elevated risks of non-response (post-booster anti-HBs titers<10 mIU/mL) to booster vaccination. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were 3.85 (CI, 1.82-8.33), 4.55 (CI, 1.23-16.67), 3.59 (CI, 1.40-9.17), respectively. There was multiplicative synergism between A*02 and B*15 on the risk of non-response to booster vaccination. The multivariate-adjusted ORs for A*02(-)/B*15, A*02(-)/B*15(-), A*02/B*15, and A*02/B*15(-) haplotypes were 20.39 (p=0.0003), 3.29 (p=0.007), 1.32 (p>0.05), and 1.0, respectively. Recent cigarette smoking and/or betel-quid chewing was associated with a 12-fold risk of non-response to booster vaccination. Further comparisons between responders and adolescents who had undetectable post-booster anti-HBs titers (<0.1 mIU/mL) demonstrated similar results. Our results indicated that response to booster HB vaccination as well as long-term immunological responses to HB vaccination are closely related with host genetic factors, and probably modified by recent substance use.     

中国新生儿乙肝疫苗免疫效果评估

目的评估我国1992～2005年实施新生儿乙肝疫苗免疫预防策略的经济效果。方法在综合国内有关重要研究资料的基础上,构建我国乙肝疫苗免疫预防14年效果评估决策树模型,采用成本效益和成本效果分析指标。结果我国新生儿乙肝疫苗免疫策略使得1992～2005年出生新生儿累计避免发生乙肝病毒(HBV)感染6522.95万例(城市2442.35万例,农村4080.60万例),其中急性乙肝1304.59万例,慢性乙肝65.23万例,肝硬化6.01万例,肝癌0.60万例;每预防1例HBV感染的费用为81.99元,可获得2674.77亿元的净效益,效益成本比为51.01:1(城市为49.59:1,农村为51.91:1)。结论我国新生儿乙肝疫苗免疫策略实施14年获得巨大经济效益,决策树模型应用于乙肝疫苗接种效果评估具有定量决策和综合多因素等优点。     

Assessing the immunological response to hepatitis B vaccination in HIV-infected patients in clinical practice

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended in HIV-infected patients. Achieving seroprotection rates (anti-HBs ≥ 10I U/L) comparable to the general population remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to analyze the proportion of responders among patients infected with HIV receiving primary HBV vaccination and identify factors associated with seroprotection rates. We analyzed the response to vaccination (antiHBs titers) in 474 HIV-infected patients receiving ≥ 1 doses of vaccine between 1994 and 2009. Factors associated with response to vaccination were analyzed using a logistic regression model. Considering the first vaccine courses administered, a response rate of 60.3% (286/474) was obtained. Eighty-seven patients began a second course, responding in 58.6% of cases. Regardless of the number of doses, schedules, and whether or not they completed the course, the response rates were 71.1% (337/474). After adjustment for year of reception of the first dose, responders were less likely to have a higher baseline HIV 1-RNA viral load (OR: 0.78 95% CI: 0.68-0.91) and more likely to have a CD4 count ≥ 350 cells/μL (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.03-3.62). Patients receiving less than three doses of vaccine (OR: 0.31 95% CI 0.15-0.61) or three doses of the rapidly accelerated schedule (OR: 0.35 95% CI 0.15-0.81) had a lower probability of response in comparison with those receiving three doses of an accelerated schedule. In patients diagnosed with HIV, HBV vaccination before evolution to greater immunosuppression (CD4 < 350 cells/μL) or delaying vaccination until the CD4 count is higher could provide better seroprotection rates. The rapidly accelerated vaccination schedule should be used with caution, due to its lower effectiveness. If seroprotection is not achieved after the first course, revaccination seems to be effective in increasing the proportion of responders.     

Long-term response rates of successful hepatitis B vaccination in HIV-infected patients

Background

Data on long-term response rates after successful primary hepatitis B (HBV) vaccination in HIV-infected patients are scarce.

Objective

To evaluate the durability of an effective anti-HBs titer up to 5 years after primary vaccination in a cohort of 155 HIV-infected adults.

Methods

From a previous multicenter HBV vaccination trial we selected patients with an anti-HBs titer of ≥10 IU/l 28 weeks after the first vaccination. The anti-HBs titer was measured in annually stored plasma samples up to 5 years after vaccination. Patients with decreasing anti-HBs titers <10 IU/I were defined as transient responders (TR*) and with persistent anti-HBs titers ≥10 IU/I as long-term responders (LTR^).

Results

We included 155 patients, 87 were TR and 68 LTR. Mean age, percentage of female participants and duration of HAART use at primary vaccination were similar in LTR and TR. Anti-HBs level after primary vaccination was the strongest predictor for the durability of anti-HBs. Anti-HBs >100–1000 IU/I and >1000 resulted in an OR 8.3, 95% CI 3.38–20.16; p < 0.0001 and OR 75.6, 95% CI 13.41–426.45; p < 0.0001 versus anti-HBs titer of 10–100 IU/I after primary vaccination respectively. The mean time to loss of an effective anti-HBs titer was 2.0, 3.7 and 4.4 years respectively, for patients with an anti-HBs titer of 10–100 IU/I, >100–1000 IU/I and >1000 IU/I at primary vaccination. An undetectable HIV-RNA load and use of HAART during vaccination and at follow-up were, though not significantly, associated a higher long-term persistence of an effective antibody titer.

Conclusion

The durability of an effective anti-HBs level appears to be significantly related to the height of the antibody titers after the primary immunization procedure. Schedules to improve the vaccination response in HIV-infected patients therefore seem to be justified. Whether a HBV booster is indicated remains to be elucidated.