2-14 IMMUNE RESPONSE TO A NEW HEPATITIS B
VACCINE IN HEALTHCARE WORKERS WHO HAD NOT RESPONDED TO
STANDARD VACCINE
A new triple vaccine produced an immunogenic response in
a high percentage of immunocompetent individuals who were
unresponsive to a licensed hepatitis B vaccine. BMJ
February 1, 1997; 314: 329-33 2-14 IMMUNE RESPONSE TO A NEW HEPATITIS B
VACCINE IN HEALTHCARE WORKERS WHO HAD NOT RESPONDED TO
STANDARD VACCINE
Five % to 10% of healthy immunocompetent subjects do not
mount an antibody response (over 10 IU/L) to the surface
antigen component present in the standard (S) antigen
produced by currently licensed vaccines. Non-responders
remain susceptible to infection.
The S components are polypeptide components of the
hepatitis B viral-envelope. Beside the S component, pre-S
and pre-S domains have an important immunogenic roles in
augmenting hepatitis B surface antibody responses.
This study evaluated the immunogenicity of a new third
generation Triple S recombinant hepatitis B vaccine.
The study entered 100 healthcare workers who had failed
to seroconvert after at least 4 doses of a licensed
hepatitis B vaccine containing only the S component.
Seventy subjects seroconverted (> 10 IU/L) after
receiving one or two doses of the triple vaccine.
BMJ February 1,
1997; 314: 329-33 Original investigation, first author
from Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London
Comment:
If 5% to 10% of healthy immunocompetent subjects do not
mount a protective antibody response, should we not check
antibody levels in persons at high risk when a more
efficient vaccine becomes available? RTJ
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