Efficacy of HBV vaccination in children with thalassemia major, South Khorasan, Iran

Thalassemia patients are more susceptible to hepatitis than the normal population due to the frequent blood transfusion. This study was performed to determine the immune response of children with major a-thalassemia, by measuring anti-HBS antibody following the last HBV vaccine injection. This study was carried out on all thalassemic children under the care of Iran Thalassemia Foundation [38 cases] in Birjand, receiving three standard intramuscular recombinant HBV vaccines. The children's mean age was 9.2 +/- 4.6 years. Based on the time lapsed since their last vaccine injection, the subjects were divided into two groups of .5 years and >5 years. Based on the serum level of anti-HBS-antibody, the subjects were categorized as good responders [anti-HBS>100 IU/lit], low [anti-HBS=10-100 IU/lit], and non-responders [anti-HBS<10 IU/lit]. The mean ranges of anti-HBS level in the above-mentioned groups were 99.7 and 43.3 IU/lit, respectively. Out of 38 individuals, 13 [34.2%] were good responders, 9 [23.7%] low and 16 [42.1%] non responders. Standard HBV vaccination in thalassemic children results in an immune response in 57.9% of subjects. Therefore, assessment of anti-HBS-antibody 5 years after the last vaccination is recommended

[Efficacy of HBV vaccination in children with thalassemia major [south Khorasan - 2007]]

Hepatitis B is a major problem occurred in patients with thalassemia major due to repeated blood transfusion. Regarding its acute and chronic complications [Fulminant hepatitis, Cirrhosis, Hepatic neoplasm], vaccination could be helpful in thalassemia patients. Immune suppression due to frequent blood transfusion iron blood persistent hemolytic, decreased anti-HBS-Ab level after HBV vaccination. This descriptive study was performed in South Khorasan in 2007 on 38 patients with major thalassemia. All patients have received Hepatitis B vaccine. A questionnaire containing some questions about demographic characteristics was filed for all patients including: age, sex, frequency of blood transfusion in year. The blood samples of patients were tested to detect serum markers including HBS Ag, anti-HBS with ELISA method. The results were analyzed by using SPSS. Of 38 patients with major thalassemia, 20 [52.6%] were male and 18 [47.4%] were female. Average age of patients was 9.2 +/- 4.6. 37 patients [97.4%] have transfusion >12 time in year. All of patients were negative for HBS Ag and anti-HBC. 16 patients [42.1%] was anti-HBS Ab positive and 22 patients [57.9%] was anti-HBS-Ab negative. Based on the Serum levels of anti HBS-Ab, subjects were categorized as: Good responder [anti HBS> 100 IU/lit] [34.2%] Low responder [anti-HBS 10-100 IU/lit] [23.7%] Non responder [anti-HBS < 10 IU/lit] [42.1%]. 34/2% of patients that over 5 years lapsed since last vaccine injection were responders. Statistical analysis has not shown significant relationship between age, sex and anti-HBS-Ab [p> 0.05] and time lapsed since last vaccination in two groups [p> 0.05]. Immune response in children with thalassemia major lower than normal children and we recommended determining the antibody level after the last vaccination and if necessary, booster dose gives them

Efficacy of Hepatitis-B vaccine in children from 12 to 16 months in Mashad health centers

Background: More than 5% of the people are chronic carriers of HBV. Hepatitis B and its complications are problem around the world. Immunization is the best method for prophylaxis

Objective: This study was conducted in order to evaluate the efficacy of HBV vaccine and to measure the anti-HBs Ag titer

Methods: We collected serum sample from 100 infants, who were 12-16Mo. Old and vaccinated three times [based on Iran immunization program] during 1997. Serum samples were collected from individuals 3-6 month after third vaccination and tested for anti-HBs Ag byELISA

Findings: Of 100 infants, 81 individuals have anti-HBs Ag after immunization that they were 40 [42.36%] males and 41 [50.62%] females. The average anti-HBs Ag productions in males were 1236 mlu/dl and in females were 1282 mlu/dl. Mean of all samples was 1213 mlu/dl. The lower limit was 100 unit and upper limit was 1600 unit. Lower and upper limits were in infants 15 Mo.Old. The efficacy of HBV vaccine [Heberbiovac-Hb] in infants 12-16 Mo.Old was 81%

Conclusion: The study shows that our results were different from textbooks and high percentage of infants, haven't anti-HBs Ag after immunization