Incidence of Low Seroimmunity to Hepatitis B Virus in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Single Center Experience
10.5223/pghn.2024.27.2.104
- Author:
Hala H. MANSOUR
1
;
Ayman E. ESKANDER
;
Sara M. OSMAN
;
Normeen H. RADY
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
2024;27(2):104-112
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:Immunosuppressive therapy is frequently administered to patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which may make them more susceptible to infections like hepatitis B.
Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients aged 5–18 years diagnosed with IBD who visited a gastroenterology clinic along with controls who were the same age as the patients with IBD and were healthy overall. A logistic regression analysis using the independent variables of age, sex, race, disease phenotype, surgery, and medications and the dependent variable of adequate hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) titers (>10 mIU/mL) was performed on quantitative serum HBsAb titers.
Results:The study enrolled 62 patients, including 37 males and 25 females. Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and indeterminate colitis were diagnosed in 16, 22, and 24 patients, respectively. Thirty-nine patients were taking corticosteroids at the time of the study, 42 were taking immunomodulators, and four were taking biologics. Compared to 44.7% of the control group, 9.3% of the patients had protective titers. Only 12 out of 62 patients had HBsAb titers greater than 10 million IU/mL. None of the patients who received biologics or corticosteroids and 3.2% of those who received immunomodulators were found to be seroimmuned.
Conclusion:The younger patients had the highest titers. Patient-specific factors that may impact these low titers include the length of the patient’s illness and the use of immunosuppressants.
