Response to Booster Hepatitis B Vaccines in Liver-Transplanted Children Primarily Vaccinated in Infancy

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Response to Booster Hepatitis B Vaccines in Liver-Transplanted Children

Primarily Vaccinated in Infancy.

Original Articles

Transplantation. 86(11):1531-1535, December 15, 2008.

Ni, Yen-Hsuan 1; Ho, Ming-Chih 2; Wu, Jia-Feng 1; Chen, Huey-Ling 1; Wu,

Yao-Ming 2; Hu, Rey-Heng 2; Lee, Po-Huang 2,3; Chang, Mei-Hwei 1

Abstract:

Background. A hepatitis B virus (HBV) universal vaccination program for infants

was implemented for 24 years in Taiwan. Most of the children who received organ

transplantation were primarily vaccinated before transplantation. This study

investigated the efficacy of HBV vaccination and booster responses in children

after liver transplantation (LT).

Methods. Totally 31 children were enrolled. They were clinically stable for more

than 1 year after LT. Twenty of them kept a titer of antibody to hepatitis B

surface antigen (anti-HBs) more than 10 mIU/mL and received no booster, while 11

received one booster because their anti-HBs titers were less than 10 mIU/mL.

Cellular immunity was checked by enzyme-linked immunospot assay with

interferon-[gamma] surrogated for T-helper 1 cells and interleukin-5 for

T-helper 2 before and after booster vaccine.

Results. One of the non-boosters had de novo HBV infection after LT and

recovered to be anti-HBs positive. The first booster restored an adequate titer

in 64% (7/11) of those with anti-HBs titer less than 10 mIU/mL after LT. The

four patients who failed the first booster responded well to the second dose.

After the booster, the mononuclear cells of all 11 had more than one

spot-forming cell for interferon-[gamma] or interleukin-5. Transplanted girls

maintained a higher antibody titer than boys.

Conclusion. Primary HBV vaccination or the booster dose(s) of HBV vaccine could

provide adequate humoral and cellular immunity in children with LT.

[Guest guest]

Response to Booster Hepatitis B Vaccines in Liver-Transplanted Children

Primarily Vaccinated in Infancy.

Original Articles

Transplantation. 86(11):1531-1535, December 15, 2008.

Ni, Yen-Hsuan 1; Ho, Ming-Chih 2; Wu, Jia-Feng 1; Chen, Huey-Ling 1; Wu,

Yao-Ming 2; Hu, Rey-Heng 2; Lee, Po-Huang 2,3; Chang, Mei-Hwei 1

Abstract:

Background. A hepatitis B virus (HBV) universal vaccination program for infants

was implemented for 24 years in Taiwan. Most of the children who received organ

transplantation were primarily vaccinated before transplantation. This study

investigated the efficacy of HBV vaccination and booster responses in children

after liver transplantation (LT).

Methods. Totally 31 children were enrolled. They were clinically stable for more

than 1 year after LT. Twenty of them kept a titer of antibody to hepatitis B

surface antigen (anti-HBs) more than 10 mIU/mL and received no booster, while 11

received one booster because their anti-HBs titers were less than 10 mIU/mL.

Cellular immunity was checked by enzyme-linked immunospot assay with

interferon-[gamma] surrogated for T-helper 1 cells and interleukin-5 for

T-helper 2 before and after booster vaccine.

Results. One of the non-boosters had de novo HBV infection after LT and

recovered to be anti-HBs positive. The first booster restored an adequate titer

in 64% (7/11) of those with anti-HBs titer less than 10 mIU/mL after LT. The

four patients who failed the first booster responded well to the second dose.

After the booster, the mononuclear cells of all 11 had more than one

spot-forming cell for interferon-[gamma] or interleukin-5. Transplanted girls

maintained a higher antibody titer than boys.

Conclusion. Primary HBV vaccination or the booster dose(s) of HBV vaccine could

provide adequate humoral and cellular immunity in children with LT.