Lasting immune memory against hepatitis B following challenge 10-11 years after primary vaccination with either three doses of hexavalent DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib or monovalent hepatitis B vaccine at 3, 5 and 11-12 months of age

Vaccine. 2015 May 28;33(23):2727-33. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.06.070. Epub 2014 Jun 22.

Abstract

Background: The combined hexavalent diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-hepatitis B-inactivated poliomyelitis - Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine (Infanrix hexa™; DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib: GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines) induces robust responses to the HBV component when administered at 3, 5 and 11-12 months of age. We assessed long term HBV antibody persistence 10-11 years after primary vaccination in infancy.

Methods: Antibody persistence and immune memory were assessed post-primary vaccination at 3, 5, 11-12 months with DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib, or monovalent HBV vaccine (Engerix™ B, GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines) co-administered with DTPa-IPV/Hib (Infanrix™-IPV/Hib, GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines) in 185 children aged 11-12 years. Blood samples were collected before and 1 month after a challenge dose of Engerix™ B (10μg dose).

Results: 10-11 years after primary vaccination the percentage of subjects with persisting anti-HBs antibody concentrations ≥10mIU/ml was 48.4% in the DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib group and 58.4% in the DTPa-IPV/Hib+HBV group. After the HBV challenge dose, the percentage with anti-HBs ≥100mIU/ml increased from 14.7% to 93.6% in the DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib group and 19.1% to 94.4% in the DTPa-IPV/Hib+HBV group. Anti-HBs GMCs increased by at least 187-fold in each group. An anamnestic response (≥4-fold increase in initially seropositive or anti-HBs concentration ≥10mIU/ml in initially seronegative subjects) was observed in 96.8% and 96.6% of subjects in the DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib and DTPa-IPV/Hib+HBV groups, respectively. No serious adverse events occurred that were considered related to challenge vaccination.

Conclusion: Administration of HBV as part of a combination vaccine or as a monovalent vaccine induced long lasting immune memory against HBV in children primed at 3, 5 and 11 months of age. Antibody persistence and immune memory were similar, suggesting that protection afforded by DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib and monovalent HBV vaccines, is likely to be of similar duration. The administration of HBV challenge dose 10-11 years after the 3, 5, 11-12 months primary schedule induced strong anamnestic responses and was well tolerated. This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.govNCT01138098.

Keywords: DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib; Hepatitis B; Immune memory; Persistence; Vaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Child
  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine / administration & dosage*
  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine / immunology*
  • Female
  • Haemophilus Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Haemophilus Vaccines / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B / prevention & control*
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies / blood*
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B virus / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated / administration & dosage*
  • Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated / immunology*
  • Vaccination / methods*
  • Vaccines, Combined / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Combined / immunology

Substances

  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine
  • Haemophilus Vaccines
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines
  • Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated
  • Vaccines, Combined
  • diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis-inactivated poliovirus-Haemophilus influenzae b conjugate-hepatitis B vaccine

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01138098