Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate hepatitis B vaccination effectiveness in HIV infected children.
Methods: 45 children vertically infected with HIV who received hepatitis B vaccination were evaluated. Anti-HBs antibodies were assayed to established vaccination efficiency and were repeated every 6-12 months. No-responders received the next vaccination schedule with doubled dose. Children with antibody levels < 100 IU/ml were boostered. All the children have been receiving HAART.
Main observations and results: 35/45 (77,8%) children had anti-HBs antibodies > 100 IU/ml, including 20 with anti-HBs antibodies > or = 1000 IU/ml (32 children without immunodeficiency, 2 with moderate and 1 with severe immunodeficiency). Anti-HBs level 8-100 IU/ml was observed in 6/46 (13,3%) children (5 children without immunodeficiency and 1 with severe immunodeficiency). 4/46 (8.9%) children had no anti-HBs antibodies (2 children without immunodeficiency, 1 with moderate and 1 with severe immunodeficiency).
Conclusions: In HIV infected children anti-HBs antibodies should be assayed to establish hepatitis B vaccination efficiency and repeated every 6-12 months.