Hepatitis B seroepidemiology and booster vaccination in pre-clinical medical students in a Malaysian university
- Author:
Siti Norlia Othman
1
,
2
Author Information
1. Department of Medical Microbiology &
2. Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, 56000 Kuala Lumpur.
- Collective Name:Siti Norlia Othman; Zetti ZainoL Rashid; Asrul ABDUL Wahab; Muttaqillah Najihan Abdul Samat; Chuan Hun Ding; Umi Kalsom Ali
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Hepatitis B vaccination;
seroprevalence;
serological surveillance;
healthcare workers;
medical students;
anti-HBs
- MeSH:
serological surveillance;
healthcare workers
- From:The Malaysian Journal of Pathology
2018;40(3):295-302
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Infant hepatitis B vaccination was introduced into the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in Malaysia in 1989. This study aimed to investigate seroprevalence of hepatitis B among UKM pre-clinical medical students, born between 1991 and 1995, and had their infant vaccination more than 20 years ago. Materials and Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study involving 352 students, comprising 109 (31.0%) males and 243 (69.0%) females. Blood specimens were tested for anti-HBs, where levels of ≥10 mIU/mL was considered reactive and protective. Students with non-reactive levels were given a 20 µg HBV vaccine booster. Anti-HBs levels were tested six weeks after the first booster dose. Those with anti-HBs <10 mIU/mL were then given another two booster doses, at least one month apart. Anti-HBs levels were tested six weeks after the third dose. Results: Ninety-seven students (27.6%) had anti-HBs ranging from 10 to >1000 mIU/ mL while 255 (72.4%) had anti-HBs <10 mIU/mL. After one booster dose, 208 (59.1%) mounted anti-HBs ≥10 mIU/mL. Among the remaining 47 (13.3%), all except two students (0.6%) responded following completion of three vaccination doses. They were negative for HBsAg and anti-HBcore antibody, thus regarded as non-responders. Conclusions: Anti-HBs levels waned after 20 years post-vaccination, where more than 70% were within non-reactive levels. For healthcare workers, a booster dose followed by documenting anti-HBs levels of ≥10 mIU/mL may be recommended, to guide the management of post-exposure prophylaxis. Pre-booster anti-HBs testing may not be indicated. Serological surveillance is important in long-term assessment of HBV vaccination programs. No HBV carrier was detected.
- Full text:5.2018my0974.pdf
