Hepatitis B vaccination of 113 hemophiliacs: Lower antibody response in anti-LAV/HTLV-III-positive patients

✍ Scribed by A. R. Zanetti; P. M. Mannucci; E. Tanzi; G. A. Moroni; M. De Paschale; M. Morfini; V. Carnelli; M. C. Tirindelli; R. De Biasi; N. Ciavarella; V. De Rosa; F. Rodeghiero; M. Colombo

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1986
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 550 KB
• Volume: 23
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0361-8609
• DOI: 10.1002/ajh.2830230406

✦ Synopsis

One-hundred thirteen adults and children with hemophilia or other congenital bleeding disorders were vaccinated against the hepatitis B virus. Each patient was given three subcutaneous injections of the vaccine at monthly intervals and then a fourth booster dose 14 months after the first. The vaccine was highly immunogenic, since 111 of 113 patients (98%) produced anti-HBs (10 mIU/ml or more). After the first three vaccine doses and after the booster dose, ten anti-LAV/HTLV-111-positive hemophiliacs produced anti-HBs but had a lower average titer than anti-LAV/HTLV-111-negative hemophiliacs. Of the 23 patients treated with concentrates in the 15 month postvaccination period only, none acquired HBV infection. Of the 50 patients treated with concentrates also in the 6 month prevaccination period, one developed hepatitis B. In summary, the vaccine was highly immunogenic in both children and adults with hemophilia; anti-LAV/HTLV-111-positive patients responded to the vaccine, but the average anti-HBs response was lower; no case of hepatitis B occurred in patients treated with concentrates only in the postvaccination period.