Immunogenicity of a Birth Dose of Hepatitis B Vaccine in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo: A Randomised, Controlled Trial.

The WHO recommends hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination (HepB-BD), but it is not routinely given in most sub-Saharan African countries. We aimed to assess the immunogenicity of HepB-BD in addition to the existing hepatitis B vaccine (HepB3) schedule in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo among HBV-unexposed and HBV-exposed infants. Using an open-label, randomised, controlled design, HBV-unexposed infants were randomised (1:1) to receive the standard HepB3 vaccine series (group U3), or to receive HepB-BD in addition to HepB3 (group U4). A supplemental cohort of HBV-exposed infants (group E4) received HepB-BD and HepB3. We compared the proportion of infants with protective antibodies against HBV (HBV surface antibody ≥ 10 mIU/mL) between groups U3 and U4 and groups U4 and E4 at 12 months of age. Between August 20 and October 9, 2019, we enrolled 281 mother/infant dyads; 88 (31.3%) returned at 12 months. Most infants had protective antibodies against HBV at 12 months: 92.9% (75.7%-98.2%) in group U3, 85.7% (67.5%-94.5%) in group U4 and 96.9% (95% CI: 81.2%-99.6%) in group E4. Trends held in estimates adjusted for loss-to-follow-up (LTFU) and baseline imbalance across groups. In this first randomised trial assessing the addition of HepB-BD to the hepatitis B vaccine schedule in SSA, we found that HBV-unexposed infants who received the 3-dose and 4-dose vaccine series had similar immunogenicity against HBV at 12 months. A high proportion of infants, and notably HBV-exposed infants, had protective antibodies. Though extrapolation of findings may be limited by LTFU, this study adds real-world evidence regarding HepB-BD implementation in sub-Saharan Africa. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03897946.

Immune response induced by recombinant pres2/S-protein and a pres2-S-protein fused with a core 18-27 antigen fragment of hepatitis B virus compared to conventional HBV vaccine.

Although comprehensive vaccination is the cornerstone of public health programs to control hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, 5% of people who receive the existing vaccine do not develop proper immunity against HBV. To overcome this challenge, researchers have tried using various protein fragments encoded by the virus genome to achieve better immunization rates. An important antigenic component of HBsAg called the preS2/S or M protein has also received much attention in this area. The gene sequences of preS2/S and Core18-27 peptide were extracted from the GenBank (NCBI). Final gene synthesis was conducted with pET28. Groups of BALB/c mice were immunized with 10 µg/ml of recombinant proteins and 1 µg/ml CPG7909 adjuvant. Serum levels of IF-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 were measured by ELISA assay method on spleen cell cultures on day 45, and IgG1, IgG2a, and total IgG titers obtained from mice serum were quantified on days 14 and 45. Statistical analysis did not show any significant difference between the groups regarding IF-γ level. There were, however, significant differences in terms of IL-2 and IL-4 levels between the groups receiving preS2/S-C18-27 with and without adjuvant and the groups receiving both preS2/S and preS2/S-C18-27 (Plus Recomb-Plus Recomb: the group of mice that received both preS2/S and preS2/S-C18-27 simultaneously). The strongest total antibody production was induced by immunization with both recombinant proteins without CPG adjuvant. The groups that received both preS2/S and preS2/S-C18-27, whether with or without adjuvant, were significantly different from those that received the conventional vaccine considering most abundant interleukins. This difference suggested that higher levels of efficacy can be achieved by the use of multiple virus antigen fragments rather than using a single fragment.

Effects of Decreased Immunization Coverage for Hepatitis B Virus Caused by COVID-19 in World Health Organization Western Pacific and African Regions, 2020.

The World Health Organization-designated Western Pacific Region (WPR) and African Region (AFR) have the highest number of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted childhood immunization, threatening progress toward elimination of hepatitis B by 2030. We used a published mathematical model to estimate the number of expected and excess HBV infections and related deaths after 10% and 20% decreases in hepatitis B birth dose or third-dose hepatitis B vaccination coverage of children born in 2020 compared with prepandemic 2019 levels. Decreased vaccination coverage resulted in additional chronic HBV infections that were 36,342-395,594 in the WPR and 9,793-502,047 in the AFR; excess HBV-related deaths were 7,150-80,302 in the WPR and 1,177-67,727 in the AFR. These findings support the urgent need to sustain immunization services, implement catch-up vaccinations, and mitigate disruptions in hepatitis B vaccinations in future birth cohorts.

Progress towards the elimination of hepatitis B in children in Colombia: A novel two-phase study approach.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has established a target to eliminate mother-to-child-transmission (EMTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV), defined as a prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) of ≤0.1% among children, by 2030. Using nationally representative serosurveys to verify achievement of this target requires large sample sizes and significant resources. We assessed the feasibility of a potentially more efficient two-phase method to verify EMTCT of HBV in Colombia. In the first phase, we conducted a risk assessment to identify municipalities at the highest risk of ongoing HBV transmission. We ranked the 1122 municipalities of Colombia based on the reports of HBV infection in pregnant women per 1000 population. Municipalities with ≥0.3 reports per 1000 persons (equating to the top quartile) were further assessed based on health facility birth rates, coverage with three doses of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB3) and seroprevalence data. Hepatitis B risk was considered to be further increased for municipalities with HepB3 coverage or health facility birth rate <90%. In the second phase, we conducted a multistage household serosurvey of children aged 5-10 years in 36 municipalities with the highest assessed HBV risk. HBsAg was not detected in any of 3203 children tested, yielding a 90% upper confidence bound of <0.1% prevalence. Coverage with HepB3 and hepatitis B birth dose was high at 97.5% and 95.6%, respectively. These results support the conclusion that Colombia has likely achieved EMTCT of HBV.

Coverage, inequity and predictors of hepatitis B birth vaccination in Myanmar from 2011-2016: results from a national survey.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus birth dose (HepB-BD) vaccination is recommended to reduce mother to infant transmission. We evaluated the HepB-BD status of women who gave birth between 2011 and 2016 (N = 3,583) using the 2015-2016 Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey. METHODS: Frequency distributions of HepB-BD vaccination across maternal and health system factors, concentration indices, and logistic regression models were used to estimate coverage, inequity, and factors associated with vaccination. RESULTS: The majority of participants were younger than 30 years of age, lived in rural areas, and were multiparous. Almost all received antenatal care (ANC), but only 43% received recommended ANC services, and 60% gave birth at home. The overall HepB-BD coverage rate was 26%. Vaccination coverage was higher in urban areas and was inequitably concentrated among children of more educated and wealthier women. HepB-BD coverage was also positively associated with receipt of ANC at non-governmental facilities, and delivery at a facility, skilled provider at birth and Cesarean delivery. After adjusting for sociodemographic and health system factors, receipt of the HepB-BD was positively associated with weekly media exposure, receipt of recommended ANC, and Cesarean delivery, and inversely associated with home delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Both socioeconomic and health systems factors influenced suboptimal and inequitable vaccination coverage. Improved access to quality ANC and delivery services may increase HepB-BD coverage although targeted approaches to reach home births are likely required to achieve national goals.

Efficacy of an accelerated double-dose hepatitis B vaccine regimen in patients with cirrhosis.

The hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine is recommended in unvaccinated adults with cirrhosis, despite its low efficacy. We aimed to evaluate the response to a double-dose/accelerated vaccine schedule in patients with cirrhosis admitted into a hepatology ward. All patients with cirrhosis admitted to the hepatology ward without exclusion criteria were offered the HBV HBVAXPRO 40mcg vaccine at months 0, 1 and 2. Non-responders received a second cycle. We evaluated 468 patients and only 19% were seroprotected against HBV. In 196 patients without exclusion criteria for HBV vaccination, the per protocol response rate (anti-HBs >10 U/ml) was 23% after a first cycle and 59% after a second cycle. The overall response per intention to treat was only 23%. We have not identified predictors of response. Only one patient had a mild adverse event. Most patients with cirrhosis admitted in the hepatology ward are unprotected against HBV. Although a second HBV vaccination cycle increases the response rate, the poor overall response reinforces the implementation of HBV vaccination before the development of cirrhosis.

[Comments on 2019 Chinese practice guideline for the prevention and treatment of hepatitis B virus mother-to-child transmission].

Recently, the Society of Infectious Diseases of Chinese Medical Association and Chinese GRADE Center jointly released the "2019 Chinese practice guideline for the prevention and treatment of hepatitis B virus mother-to-child transmission" . We concerned several issues in the Guideline, including the improper citation of some references, no recommendations for some key strategies for the prevention of hepatitis B virus mother-to-child transmission, insufficient or even lack of evidence for some recommendations and others. Based on the principle of academic contention, we present in this article our comments on the Guideline to discuss these issues with the Guideline's authors and readers.

The effects of message framing and healthcare provider recommendation on adult hepatitis B vaccination: A randomized controlled trial.

Many adults in the U.S. do not receive recommended vaccines, and the research literature remains inconclusive on the best communication strategies for increasing this behavior. This study examined the association of message framing (gained-framed vs. loss-framed vs. control), and healthcare provider (HCP) recommendation (offered vs. recommended) on uptake of adult hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination in a high risk population using a 3 × 2 block design randomized controlled trial. Fear of shots, fear of vaccines, and perceived message framing were examined in secondary analyses. Of the 1747 participants, 47.7% (n = 833) received 0 doses of HBV vaccine, 27.8% (n = 485) received 1 dose, 10.4% received 2 doses, and 14.1% received all 3 recommended doses. There was not a significant interaction between message framing and HCP recommendation (p = .59). Mean number of doses received by the gain-framed group (m = 0.96) was not significantly different from the loss-framed group (m = 0.97, RR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.88-1.12). However, those receiving any framing message received significantly more doses (m = 0.96) than those in the control condition (m = 0.81, RR = 1.17, 95%CI = 1.06-1.31). Participants who received a HCP recommendation received significantly more vaccine doses (m = 0.95) than those in the vaccine-offered condition (mean = 0.82, RR = 1.16, 95%CI = 1.05-1.28). These results suggest there is no difference in vaccine uptake between gain-frame and loss-frame messages, but both are better than a control message. These results also support advising HCP to provide a strong recommendation for vaccinations beyond merely offering it to patients. This study has implications for vaccine uptake beyond HBV, and can inform future research on effective vaccine communication research. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00739752. Registration date: August 20, 2008.

Factors affecting inadequate response to HBV vaccine in hemodialysis patients: northeast anatolia survey with six hemodialysis centers.

BACKGROUND: In hemodialysis patients Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the problems. Because of HBV vaccine response is lower than in the general population, in this study it is aimed to determine the factors that may cause inadequate HBV vaccine response in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: In study, HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc IgG data belonging to 278 patients were obtained from file and computer records. It was seen that seronegative cases had been given recombinant HBV vaccine. Anti-HBs titers were monitored 1 month after vaccination was completed. According to this, the patients are divided into two groups. Those with anti-HBs < 10 IU/mL were identified as non-responders and with anti-HBs ≥ 10 IU/mL as responders. Factors such as age, serum albumin and urea reduction rate which may affect inadequate response to HBV vaccine were evaluated. As statistical examination, Chi-square test was used for the analysis of the data determined by counting, and logistic regression was used for statistically significant independent variables in chi-square test. p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant (Confidence interval: 95%). RESULTS: Out of 278 patients, according to exclusion criteria 81 patients were excluded. 13.2%(26/197) of HBV vaccinated patients had insufficient response. The inadequate response rate to HBV vaccination was found to be higher in patients with age ≥ 65 (p = 0.039), serum albumin < 3.5 g/dL (p = 0.024) and urea reduction rate ≤ 65 (p = 0.028). No statistically significant relationship was found between inadequate response to HBV vaccine and anti-HCV positivity, presence of diabetes mellitus, anemia status, vitamin D therapy and vascular access pathway variability. CONCLUSION: We conclude that relatively high patient age, low albumin level and insufficient urea reduction rate may cause inadequate HBV vaccine response. Taking these factors into consideration may provide a useful insight for an adequate response to vaccination.

Acute hepatitis B notification rates in Flanders, Belgium, 2009 to 2017.

BackgroundBelgium is a low-endemic country for hepatitis B. Universal hepatitis B vaccination in infants with catch-up in the age cohort of 10-13 year-olds began in 1999.AimsOur objective was to evaluate the effect of prevention and control strategies on acute hepatitis B notification rates in Flanders (Belgium) from 2009 to 2017.MethodsThis observational study collected demographic data and risk factors for acute hepatitis B from mandatory notifications to the Agency for Care and Health.ResultsIn Flanders, acute hepatitis B notification rates per 100,000 population decreased from 1.6 in 2009 to 0.7 in 2017. These rates declined in all age groups: 0-4-year-olds: 0.6 to 0.0, 5-14-year-olds: 0.2 to 0.0, 15-24-year-olds: 0.8 to 0.7, 25-34-year-olds: 3.4 to 1.1 and ≥ 35-year-olds: 1.59 to 0.7. There was also a downward trend in acute hepatitis B notification rates in native Belgians and first-generation migrants. Among 15-24-year-olds and 25-34-year-olds, a possible reversal of the decreasing trend was observed in 2016 and 2015, respectively. Among 548 acute hepatitis B cases, the main route of transmission was sexual activity (30.7%), and the pattern of transmission routes over time showed an increasing proportion of sexual transmission in men who have sex with men (MSM) after 2014. During the period from 2009 to 2017, five mother-to-child transmissions were reported.ConclusionsPrevention and control strategies were effective in reducing the acute hepatitis B notification rate. However, stronger prevention and control measures are needed in adult risk groups, particularly MSM.

[Getting to zero mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus: dream and challenge].

To eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat, the World Health Organization has set the ambitious goal of reducing the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in children to 0.1% by 2030, and the key to this grand goal is cutting off hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission from mother-to-child. Previously, national and international guidelines for the management of chronic hepatitis B recommended the use of hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) or combination of any in neonates and antiviral drugs for pregnant women with high viral load in late pregnancy. However, a recent study in Thailand found that the addition of antiviral drugs in pregnant women with high viral load in the third trimester did not significantly lower the incidence of mother-to-child HBV transmission, but no case of chronic HBV infection was seen with strict standards hepatitis B vaccine and HBIG combined immunoprophylaxis and the use of tenofovir disoproxil in pregnant women with high viral load in the third trimester. In addition, the incidence of mother -to- child transmission of HBV in the antiviral group was 0, while the incidence of HBV transmission in the placebo group was 2%. Therefore, it is not possible to deny the efficacy of adding antiviral drugs in treating pregnant women with high viral load in the third trimester with combined immunoprophylaxis. There is an urgent need for more real-world studies in clinical practice to further reveal the principles and existing problems of mother- to- child transmission of HBV.

[Anti-HBs persistence after revaccination with three doses of hepatitis B vaccine among low-responder infants following primary vaccination: 4-year of follow-up].

Objective: Assess the 4-year antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) persistence after revaccination with 3-dose of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) among low-responder infants following primary vaccination. Methods: According to stratified cluster sampling, a total of 4 147 infants were enrolled and primarily vaccinated with 5 µg HepB derived in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae (HepB-SC) at 0-1-6 months schedule from 75 towns of Jinan, Weifang, Yantai, Weihai prefectures, Shandong Province, China in Aug and Sep 2009. Blood samples were collected one to six months after the third dose of primary immunization and tested for anti-HBs using chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). 717 infants who appeared low response (10 mU/ml ≤ anti-HBs<100 mU/ml) were revaccinated with 3-dose of HepB. Blood samples were collected from a total of 315 infants one month (T(0)), four years (T(1)) after revaccination and anti-HBs, antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were detected by CMIA. Information about their birth, primary vaccination were collected. The risk factors associated with positive rate of anti-HBs and GMC of anti-HBs were identified by multiple non-conditional logistic regression analysis and multifactor linear regression model analysis, respectively. Results: Among 315 children, 165 (52.38%) were male and 150 (47.62%) were female. The positive rate was 83.81% (264/315) at T(0) and it decreased to 16.51% (149/529) at T(1). The corresponding GMC decreased from 473.15 mU/ml to 17.37 mU/ml. The average annual decreasing rate of positive rate and GMC was 33.38% and 56.23% from T(0) to T(1). Multivariable analysis showed the positive rate and GMC among those whose anti-HBs titer higher at T(0) were significantly higher at T(1). The positive rate at T(1) among those whose anti-HBs titer 400-<600, 600-<800, 800-<1 000, ≥1 000 mU/ml at T(0) were significantly higher than those whose anti-HBs titer less than 200 mU/ml. The OR (95%CI) of the positive rate was 4.29 (1.03-17.84), 4.53 (1.25-16.47), 4.19 (1.10-15.97) and 9.13 (2.91-28.63), respectively. The GMC at T(1) among those whose anti-HBs titer 400-<600, 600-<800, 800-<1 000 mU/ml and those whose anti-HBs titer ≥1 000 mU/ml at T(0) were higher than those whose anti-HBs titer<200 mU/ml. The b value (95% CI) of GMC was 0.84 (0.06-1.62), 1.13 (0.46-1.79), 1.33 (0.65-2.01) and 1.88 (1.33-2.44), respectively. GMC among full-term infants were significantly higher than premature infants at T(1). The b value (95% CI) of GMC was 0.86 (0.04-1.68). Conclusion: Anti-HBs GMC decreased rapidly 4 years after revaccination among low-responder infants, but still kept good protection. The anti-HBs persistence after revaccination was associated with anti-HBs level of titer one month after revaccination.

Potential Association between Shift Work and Serologic Response to Hepatitis B Vaccination among Manufacturing Workers in Republic of Korea.

(1) Background: Shift work can affect physical health and the immune system by altering the body's circadian rhythms. This study investigated the factors associated with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination response in manufacturing workers, classified by whether they engaged in shift work or not. (2) Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted among adults employed at two manufacturing companies. Those with negative initial hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) levels before vaccination and who subsequently received a three-dose series of HBV vaccine were enrolled. Hepatitis B surface antibodies were examined for 3 years after the first dose. The endpoint of this study was the failure of a seroprotective anti-HB response after vaccination (HBsAb < 10 mIU/mL). Binary logistic regression models were used to analyze factors associated with response failures. (3) Results: Of the 1103 eligible subjects, 337 (30.6%) were shift workers. The failure rate was numerically higher in the shift workers (9.2%) than in the non-shift workers (7.9%), without statistical significance (p = 0.405). However, after adjustment with the binary logistic regression models, the shift workers had a statistically significantly higher rate of response failures than the non-shift workers (odds ratio 2.87; 95% confidence interval 1.64-5.05, p < 0.001), as did males, older workers, those with a low initial anti-HB titer, those with a vitamin D deficiency, and current smokers. (4) Conclusions: Our findings suggest a possible association between shift work and the serologic responses to HBV vaccination. Novel strategies for vaccination should be considered for shift workers.

Efficacy and safety of hepatitis B vaccine: an umbrella review of meta-analyses.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of synthesis of literature to determine hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) strategies for hepatitis B virus (HBV) supported by quality evidence. We aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of HepB strategies among people with different characteristics. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for meta-analyses comparing the efficacy and safety of HepB up to July 2023. RESULTS: Twenty-one meta-analyses comparing 83 associations were included, with 16 high quality, 4 moderate, and 1 low quality assessed by AMSTAR 2. Highly suggestive evidence supports HepB booster and HepB with 1018 adjuvant (HBsAg-1018) for improved seroprotection, and targeted and universal HepB vaccination reduced HBV infection Suggestive evidence indicated that targeted vaccination decreased the rate of hepatitis B surface antibody positivity and booster doses increased seroprotection in people aged 10-20. Weak evidence suggests potential local/systemic reaction risk with nucleotide analogs or HBsAg-1018. Convincing evidence shows HLA-DPB1*04:01 and DPB1*04:02 increased, while DPB1*05:01 decreased, hepatitis B antibody response. Obesity may reduce HepB seroprotection, as highly suggested. CONCLUSION: Targeted vaccination could effectively reduce HBV infection, and adjuvant and booster vaccinations enhance seroprotection without significant reaction. Factors such as obesity and genetic polymorphisms may affect the efficacy.

Association between Vitamin D Deficiency and Serologic Response to Hepatitis B Virus Vaccination among Heavy Industry Workers.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination has decreased the overall incidence of HBV infection; however, approximately 5 to 10% of people are non-responders to the vaccination. This study investigated the factors associated with non-response to HBV vaccination, with an emphasis on vitamin D deficiency (VDD). METHODS: This retrospective observational study focused on adult workers in a single heavy industry. Individuals with negative initial hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) levels prior to vaccination and who then received a two- or three-dose series of HBV vaccinations were enrolled. The study endpoint was failure to achieve a seroprotective antibody response, defined as an anti-HBs titer less than 10 mIU/mL. Propensity score matching (PSM) and binary logistic regression models were used to adjust the outcomes for other clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Among 760 workers, 566 (74.5%) exhibited VDD. The non-response rates to HBV vaccination were 13.4% (76/566) and 5.7% (11/194) among workers with and without VDD, respectively (p = 0.005). Even after adjustment using PSM, VDD was still associated with a higher rate of response failure (adjusted odds ratio 2.74; 95% confidence interval 1.40-5.38, p = 0.003). The binary logistic regression model showed that VDD, older age, omission of the third vaccine dose, lower initial anti-HBs titer, and current smoking were associated with response failure. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that VDD may impair the serologic response following HBV vaccination. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in increasing the response to HBV vaccination.

Prevalence, Risk Factors and Vaccine Response against Hepatitis B in People Aged 50 Years or Older.

Universal immunization against hepatitis B has contributed to reducing incidence of the disease, but older individuals remain susceptible to acquiring the hepatitis B virus worldwide. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of HBV infection in individuals aged 50 years and over in central Brazil and to evaluate the immunogenicity of the monovalent vaccine against hepatitis B in this age group using two vaccine regimens. METHOD: Initially, a cross-sectional and analytical study was carried out to investigate the epidemiology of hepatitis B. Then, individuals without proof of vaccination for hepatitis B were recruited for a phase IV randomized and controlled clinical trial using two vaccine regimens: Intervention Regimen (IR) (three doses of 40 µg at months 0, 1 and 6) vs. Comparison Regimen (CR) (three doses of 20 µg at months 0, 1 and 6). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of exposure to HBV was 16.6% (95% CI: 14.0%-9.5%). In the clinical trial, statistical differences in protective titers were observed (p = 0.007; IR 96% vs. CR 86%) and the geometric mean of anti-HBs titers was higher in individuals who received the IR (518.2 mIU/mL vs. 260.2 mIU/mL). In addition, the proportion of high responders was higher among those who received the IR (65.3%). CONCLUSION: reinforced doses should be used in individuals aged 50 years or older to overcome the lower efficacy of the vaccine against hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination coverage and serological status among health care workers exposed to occupational biological hazards.

Introduction: Health care workers are often exposed to hepatitis B infection during the course of their professional roles. Objectives: To analyze the hepatitis B vaccination coverage and the presence of antibodies against hepatitis B among health care professionals who were exposed to contaminated biological material at a hospital complex. Methods: This descriptive, retrospective, and quantitative study is based on the analysis of accident notification form data (n = 2,466) from a hospital complex covering the period between 2011 and 2020. Results: Among the affected individuals, women (69.5%), medical residents (35.7%), and nursing staff (25.5%) accounted for the highest proportion of hazards. Regarding vaccination status, 98% of the health care professionals reported being fully immunized, and antibodies were detected in 90.9% of the participants. Percutaneous exposure (76.4%) was the most prevalent type of hazard, with blood being the most commonly involved material (79.4%). Conclusions: The findings show that despite the risks of Hepatitis B contamination associated with the incidents, the professionals were protected due to the high vaccination coverage and evidence of immunity.

Introdução: Os trabalhadores da saúde estão constantemente expostos ao vírus da hepatite B durante a atividade laboral. Objetivos: Analisar a cobertura vacinal contra a hepatite B e a presença do anticorpo contra o antígeno de superfície da hepatite B (anti-HBs) entre profissionais e estudantes da área da saúde que sofreram acidente com material biológico em um complexo hospitalar universitário. Métodos: Tratou-se de um estudo descritivo, retrospectivo e quantitativo, baseado na análise dos dados das fichas de notificação (n = 2.466) dos acidentes ocorridos no período de 2011 a 2020. Resultados: As mulheres (69,5%), os residentes de medicina (35,7%) e os técnicos e auxiliares de enfermagem (25,5%) foram os que mais se acidentaram. Quanto ao estado vacinal dos trabalhadores de saúde para hepatite B, 98% declararam ter o esquema vacinal completo, e a presença de anti-HBs reagente foi detectada em 90,9%. Quanto às características dos acidentes, houve prevalência de exposição percutânea (76,4%), e sangue foi o material orgânico mais comumente envolvido (79,4%). Conclusões: Os achados demonstram que, apesar do risco de contaminação para o vírus da hepatite B associado a acidentes no ambiente de trabalho, os profissionais estavam protegidos devido à elevada cobertura vacinal e à imunidade comprovada.

Comparison of Immune Response in Mice Immunized with Recombinant PreS2/S-C18-27 Protein Derived from Hepatitis B Virus with Commercial Vaccine.

Background & Objective: The vaccine available to prevent Hepatitis B virus disease is ineffective in 5% of people due to the use of HBsAg as a weak immunogenic factor. In the present study, PreS2/S fused to C18-27 peptide fragment as an effective antigen and is proposed as a promising vaccine candidate compared with the conventional vaccine prescribed in the vaccination program. Methods: After the synthesis of PreS2/S genes and C18-27 peptide fragment in pET28a, the recombinant protein was confirmed by Western blotting. The efficacy of the PreS2/S-C18-27 protein was compared with the conventional vaccine injected into five groups of rats. Finally, the cytokine level of IF-r, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, TNF-a, IgG1, and IgG2a were measured using the ELISA method. Results: This study showed no significant difference between the recombinant vaccine group and PBS control group in the IF-r test, but there was a significant difference between groups testing IL-2 and IL-10. In addition, the group receiving the recombinant vaccine with CPG adjuvant at a dilution of 1/10 in the IgG total test on days 14 and 45 after the first injection showed a significant difference in comparison with other groups. Conclusion: This study showed no statistically significant difference between the recombinant protein vaccine group and the conventional vaccine group. The Th1- mediated immune responses obtained from recombinant proteins with and without CPG performed better than conventional vaccines, possibly due to the functional deficiency of the available vaccines.