Lasting immune memory against hepatitis B in children after primary immunization with 4 doses of DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib in the first and 2nd year of life.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Few studies have assessed long term persisting immunity against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in children vaccinated during infancy with combined vaccines containing recombinant HBV surface antigen (HBs). We assessed antibody persistence and immune memory in children 4-5 years of age, previously vaccinated with four doses of combined hexavalent DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib vaccine (Infanrix hexa).

Methods

Immune memory was assessed in 301 children through administration of a challenge dose of monovalent HBV vaccine.

Results

At 4-5 years of age, 85.3% of subjects had persisting anti-HBs antibody concentrations >or= 10 mIU/mL, rising to 98.6% after the HBV challenge dose. All but 12 subjects (95.8%) achieved post-challenge anti-HBs concentrations >or= 100 mIU/mL. The post-chal

SUBMITTER: Steiner M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2821389 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature