Response to hepatitis B virus vaccination in haemodialysis patients with and without hepatitis C infection

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of hepatitis B virus [HBV] vaccination and the response to vaccine in individuals on haemodialysis with and without HCV infection. From April 2000 to September 2003 all haemodialysis patients referred to the haemodialysis department in a Babol hospital received 4 microg vaccine intramuscularly at 0, 1, and 6 months. All were negative for HBV infection markers [HBcAb, HBsAg and HBsAb]. Of 62 patients, 53 [85.5%] responded to vaccination and 26 [49.1%] were high responders. All individuals with HCV infection responded to vaccination. Duration of haemodialysis had no effect on response to vaccination

Prevalence of hepatitis A IgG in individuals with chronic hepatitis B infection in Babol

To determine the prevalence of previous hepatitis A virus [HAV] infection in people chronically infected with hepatitis B virus [HBV], we assessed the prevalence of anti-HAV IgG in 392 patients. The study was carried out in Babol, northern Islamic Republic of Iran from September 2004 to March 2005. Prevalence in those aged 10-19 years was 59.4% and was significantly lower than that in those aged 20-29 years [89.8%] and those over 29 years [97.5%]. There was no significant difference in prevalence according to sex or place of residence. A significant proportion of Iranian adolescents and young adults with chronic HBV infection are at risk of contracting HAV infection