Serum level of anti-hepatitis B surface antigen 6-8 years after hepatitis B vaccination at birth

The duration of protection after hepatitis B vaccination in children is unknown. We determined the serum level of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen [anti-HBsAg] in 273 randomly selected 7-9-year-old schoolchildren from Zanjan City, Islamic Republic of Iran, who had been fully vaccinated against hepatitis B starting at birth. Titres </= 10 mIU/mL were considered unprotective. Just over half of the children [52%] had titres </= 10 mIU/mL with no difference between the sexes, while 81 [29.7%] had no anti-HBsAg [0 mIU/mL]. Three of the children had antibodies to hepatitis B core protein. More studies are needed to determine the necessity for or timing of booster doses

Long-term immunity to hepatitis B among a sample of fully vaccinated children in Cairo, Egypt

We assessed the long-term immunity to hepatitis B among 242 Egyptian children aged 6-12 years who had received a full vaccination course in infancy, and investigated the factors associated with immunity. Only 39.4% of the children had protective [>/= 10 IU/L] hepatitis B surface antibody levels [HBsAb]. This proportion decreased with age but the decrease was not statistically significant. The mean level of HBsAb decreased significantly with increasing age [P = 0.026]. A significant negative correlation was found between current age and HBsAb levels [r = -0.31, P = 0.041]. Age and weight-for-age were found to be significant predictors of non-protective HBsAb levels

Hepatitis B infection among Iraqi children: the impact of sanctions

Effect of sanctions on hepatitis B vaccine availability and occurrence of viral hepatitis B among Iraqi children was studied. Between June 2000 and June 2001, families of patients attending the Public Health Laboratory, Mosul, for hepatitis B follow-up were screened. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to test for HBsAg, HBeAg and anti-HBe. We diagnosed 74 children born 1994-1998 as HBsAg carriers. For 62 of 74 cases, parents had consulted vaccine centres promptly: 41 were not vaccinated and 21 had only one vaccine dose. HBeAg marker was positive for 9 [14.5%] and anti-HBe for 50 [80.7%]. Parental reluctance was the reason for non-vaccination for 12. Vaccine shortages during the birth years of cases were documented, even after implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 986

Hepatitis B and C seroprevalence in the Lebanese population

We aimed to evaluate exposure to hepatitis B and C viruses [HBV and HBC] and candidate risk factors among the Lebanese population. All individuals presenting to all laboratory units in the country over a 2-week period were asked for a 5-mL whole blood sample and answered a questionnaire addressing risk factors. For individuals under 15 years of age the mother was interviewed. In all, 2893 blood samples were examined. Refusal rate was 2.9%. Exposure to HBV antigen was 18.9%; 1.9% were carriers and acute hepatitis B point prevalence was 0.1%. Exposure to HCV antigen was 0.7%. Exposure to both HBc and HCV antibodies was 0.2%. HBc prevalence increased with age and was higher among men. Significant risk factors included blood transfusion, haemodialysis and gastrointestinal endoscopy

Evaluation of the routine hepatitis B immunization programme in palestine, 1996

The objectives of this study were to evaluate routine hepatitis B immunization in Palestine. Blood samples of 119 children [89 fully immunized and 30 non-immunized] were analysed. The protective antibody levels among immunized children were greater than the non-immunized children. Antibody levels among the immunized children were lower in the older age group [> 36 months], but no sex differences in antibody level were apparent. Thus, hepatitis B immunization had an excellent impact on preventing hepatitis B transmission [85% preventive]. The non-responders constituted 14.6% of the sample, which is higher than other studies

Long-term immunogenicity and efficacy of a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine in Egyptian children

In 1992, Egypt adopted a hepatitis B vaccine schedule at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. We evaluated the long-term immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccination using this schedule in 180 children whose time lapse since last vaccination varied between 1 month and 5 years. None of the participants had clinical hepatitis, HBsAg was not detected in any participant and all but one had negative results for anti-HBc test. Although a high seroprotection rate [93.3%] was elicited 1 month after vaccination, there were low initial anti-HBs concentrations and both declined rapidly over time. Thus, the short interval [2 months] between the second and third doses of vaccine is less desirable in the long term. We recommend booster inoculations for all previously vaccinated children and a new vaccination schedule at 1, 2 and 9 months