Persistence of Immunity for Hepatitis B Virus among Heathcare Workers and Italian Medical Students 20 Years after Vaccination

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Apr 29;16(9):1515. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16091515.

Abstract

Background: Immunization of healthcare workers (HCWs) and medical students for the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a crucial part of the hospital infection control programs. The aim of our study was to evaluate the persistence of anti-HBV specific antibodies in HCWs vaccinated during infancy or adolescence. Methods: Medical records of 734 consecutive subjects born after 1980 (481 females, 65.5% and 253 males, 34.5%) who underwent serological testing for anti-hepatitis B surface antibodies (anti-HBs) were evaluated. Results: A non-protective titer (<10 mUI) was found in 88/734 (12.0%) subjects; 84 (47.8%) of them received a booster dose of anti-hepatitis B vaccine and the anti-HBs titer of 58 subjects was measured 1 month after administration. A protective titer (anti-HBs >10 mIU/mL) was observed in almost 90% of subjects receiving the booster dose. Conclusions: A substantial percentage of HCWs had a non-protective anti-HBs titer at the time of the first employment, especially those vaccinated at birth age. However, the response to the booster dose showed that in these subjects, an anti-HBs titer <10 mIU/mL was due to the physiological decline of antibodies over the years. Therefore, primary immunization in childhood is highly effective and provides lasting immunity against HBV infection.

Keywords: HBV; booster; healthcare workers; immunological memory; vaccination.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Female
  • Health Personnel*
  • Hepatitis B / prevention & control*
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies / blood*
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B virus / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Secondary
  • Infant
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Serologic Tests
  • Students, Medical*
  • Vaccination
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Antibodies
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines