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

ABSTRACT

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