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. 2017:2017:1327492.
doi: 10.1155/2017/1327492. Epub 2017 Sep 26.

Decrease in Anti-HBs Antibodies over Time in Medical Students and Healthcare Workers after Hepatitis B Vaccination

H V Sahana  1 , N Sarala  1 , S R Prasad  2
Affiliations

Decrease in Anti-HBs Antibodies over Time in Medical Students and Healthcare Workers after Hepatitis B Vaccination

H V Sahana et al. Biomed Res Int. 2017.

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B is one of the most important occupational hazards among healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to measure the anti-HBs titres among the medical students and HCWs vaccinated against hepatitis B virus and to determine the association between anti-HBs levels and time since vaccination.

Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, medical students and healthcare workers who had received all three doses of hepatitis B vaccination and completed at least six months after vaccination since the last dose were included. 3 ml blood was collected from subjects (n = 340) and anti-HBs titre was estimated using ELISA.

Results: A total of 340/400 subjects were aged between 18 and 60 years; 204 were females and 136 males. The median and interquartile range for time since vaccination were 5 and 5 years, respectively. Duration since vaccination was ≤5 years in 223 (65.5%), 6-10 years in 84 (24.7%), and >10 years in 33 (9.70%); among them, antibody titres were >10 mIU/ml in 94.1%, 79.7%, and 72.7% subjects, respectively. There was significant decline in antibody titres as duration of postvaccination increased.

Conclusion: The proportion of subjects who were unprotected after 5 and 10 years after vaccination were 20% and 27%, respectively. The need for a booster dose can be made mandatory at least for healthcare professionals.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Screening, recruitment of subjects, and antibody titre.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percentage of vaccinated subjects.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Subjects with anti-HBs titres more than 10 mIU/ml and postvaccination duration. Percentage is represented in parentheses.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Correlation between anti-HBs levels and duration.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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