scholarly journals Coverage with Timely Administered Vaccination against Hepatitis B Virus and Its Influence on the Prevalence of HBV Infection in the Regions of Different Endemicity

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Karen K. Kyuregyan ◽  
Vera S. Kichatova ◽  
Olga V. Isaeva ◽  
Ilya A. Potemkin ◽  
Elena Yu. Malinnikova ◽  
...  

Universal hepatitis B vaccination of newborns was implemented in Russia starting from 1998. From 1998 to 2019, the incidence of acute hepatitis B reduced from 43.8 to 0.57 cases per 100,000 population. Here, we assessed the timely coverage of newborns with the birth dose (HepB-BD), second dose (HepB-2nd), and three vaccine doses (HepB3) in two remote regions of Russia with low (Belgorod Oblast) and high (Yakutia) levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) endemicity. Vaccination data were obtained from the medical records of 1000 children in Yakutia and 2182 children in Belgorod Oblast. Sera of healthy volunteers from Belgorod Oblast (n = 1754) and Yakutia (n = 1072) across all age groups were tested for serological markers of HBV to assess the infection prevalence and herd immunity. Average HepB-BD coverage was 99.2% in Yakutia and 89.4% in Belgorod Oblast (p < 0.0001) and in both regions varied significantly, from 66% to 100%, between medical centers. The principal reason for the absence of HepB-BD was parent refusal, which accounted for 63.5% of cases of non-vaccination (83/123). While timely HepB-2nd coverage was only 55.4%–64.7%: HepB3 coverage by the age of one year exceeded 90% in both study regions. HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence in the 1998–2019 birth cohort was 0.2% (95% CI: 0.01–1.3%) in Belgorod Oblast and 3.2% (95% CI: 1.9–5.2%) in Yakutia. The proportion of persons testing negative for both antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs) and antibodies to HBV core antigen (anti-HBc) in the 1998–2019 birth cohort was 26.2% (125/481) in Belgorod Oblast and 32.3% (162/501) in Yakutia. We also assessed the knowledge of and attitude towards vaccination among 782 students and teachers of both medical and non-medical specialties from Belgorod State University. Only 60% of medical students knew that hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease. Both medical and nonmedical students, 37.8% and 31.3%, respectively, expressed concerns about safety and actual necessity of vaccination. These data indicate the need to introduce a vaccine delivery audit system, improve medical education with respect to vaccination strategies and policies, and reinforce public knowledge on the benefits of vaccination.

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 765-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
E N Kisangau ◽  
A Awour ◽  
B Juma ◽  
D Odhiambo ◽  
T Muasya ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a vaccine-preventable infection that can spread in healthcare setting. Data on HBV infections and vaccine in African healthcare workers (HCWs) are limited. We estimated HBV infection prevalence, hepatitis B vaccination status and identified factors associated with vaccination in one Kenyan county. Methods Randomly selected HCWs completed a questionnaire about HBV exposure and self-reported immunization histories, and provided blood for testing of selected HBV biomarkers to assess HBV infection and vaccination status: HBV core antibodies (anti-HBc), HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV surface antibodies (anti-HBs). Prevalence odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated to identify factors associated with vaccination. Results Among 312 HCWs surveyed, median age was 31 years (range: 19–67 years). Of 295 blood samples tested, 13 (4%) were anti-HBc and HBsAg-positive evidencing chronic HBV infection; 139 (47%) had protective anti-HBs levels. Although 249 (80%) HCWs received ≥1 HBV vaccine dose, only 119 (48%) received all three recommended doses. Complete vaccination was more likely among those working in hospitals compared to those working in primary healthcare facilities (OR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.4–4.3). Conclusion We recommend strengthening county HCW vaccination, and collecting similar data nationally to guide HBV prevention and control.


2006 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
pp. 808-813 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. MOSSONG ◽  
L. PUTZ ◽  
S. PATINY ◽  
F. SCHNEIDER

A prospective seroepidemiological survey was carried out in Luxembourg in 2000–2001 to determine the antibody status of the Luxembourg population against hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). One of the objectives of this survey was to assess the impact of the hepatitis B vaccination programme, which started in May 1996 and included a catch-up campaign for all adolescents aged 12–15 years. Venous blood from 2679 individuals was screened for the presence of antibodies to HAV antigen and antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) using an enzyme immunoassay. Samples positive for anti-HBs were tested for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) using a chemiluminiscent microparticle immunoassay to distinguish between individuals with past exposure to vaccine or natural infection. The estimated age-standardized anti-HAV seroprevalence was 42·0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 39·8–44·1] in the population >4 years of age. Seroprevalence was age-dependent and highest in adult immigrants from Portugal and the former Yugoslavia. The age-standardized prevalence of anti-HBs and anti-HBc was estimated at 19·7% (95% CI 18·1–21·3) and 3·16% (95% CI 2·2–4·1) respectively. Anti-HBs seroprevalence exceeding 50% was found in the cohorts targeted by the routine hepatitis B vaccination programme, which started in 1996. Our study illustrates that most young people in Luxembourg are susceptible to HAV infection and that the hepatitis B vaccination programme is having a substantial impact on population immunity in children and teenagers.


1998 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 281-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila A. TELES ◽  
Regina M. B MARTINS ◽  
Simonne A. SILVA ◽  
Dinalva M. F. GOMES ◽  
Divina D. P. CARDOSO ◽  
...  

Hepatitis B has proved to be a major health hazard in hemodialysis patients. In order to investigate the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection profile in the hemodialysis population of Goiânia city - Central Brazil, all dialysis patients (N=282) were studied. The prevalence of any HBV marker (HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc) was 56.7% (95% CI: 51.1-62.7), ranging from 33.3% to 77.7% depending on dialysis unit. HBV-DNA was detected in 67.6% and 88.2% of the HBsAg-positive serum samples, in 91.3% and 100% of the HBsAg/HBeAg-positive samples, and in 18.2% and 63.6% of the HBsAg/anti-HBe-reactive sera by hybridization and PCR, respectively. The length of time on hemodialysis was significantly associated with HBV seropositivity. Only 10% of the patients reported received hepatitis B vaccination. The findings of a high HBV infection prevalence in this population and the increased risk for HBV infection on long-term hemodialysis suggest the environmental transmission, emphasizing the urgent need to evaluate strategies of control and prevention followed in these units.


1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. CHRISTENSON ◽  
M. BÖTTIGER ◽  
L. GRILLNER

The prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers in the adult Swedish population was investigated according to age, sex, origin and demographic stratum. Sera were collected from 3382 persons in 1990–1. The sera were selected on a statistical basis considered to be representative of the Swedish population from adults aged [les ]18 years. Two of the sera (0·06%) were found to be hepatitis B surface antigen positive. The two hepatitis B carriers were of non-Scandinavian origin as were (8·9%) of those tested. A total of 90 persons had a marker of previous, hepatitis B virus infection, i.e. antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen. Of these, 66 (2·0%) were of Scandinavian origin and 24 (18·1%) from highly endemic areas. The overall hepatitis B virus marker prevalence was 2·7%. The highest age-specific prevalence of hepatitis B markers in those of Scandinavian origin was in those born in 1939 and earlier. In this age-group, women had a significantly higher prevalence (3·6%) than males (1·9%). The lowest prevalence was found in those born in 1970 and later. No significant, age-related differences between younger or older persons, or between men and women, could be found in persons of non-Scandinavian origin. The results showed significant differences in exposure to hepatitis B virus among the indigenous population, compared with those of non-Scandinavian extraction. The results do not support the proposal to include hepatitis B vaccination in the Swedish immunization schedule.


Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Gergana Zahmanova ◽  
Milena Mazalovska ◽  
Katerina Takova ◽  
Valentina Toneva ◽  
Ivan Minkov ◽  
...  

The core antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBcAg) is capable of self-assembly into virus-like particles (VLPs) when expressed in a number of heterologous systems. Such VLPs are potential carriers of foreign antigenic sequences for vaccine design. In this study, we evaluated the production of chimeric HBcAg VLPs presenting a foreign epitope on their surface, the 551–607 amino acids (aa) immunological epitope of the ORF2 capsid protein of hepatitis E virus. A chimeric construct was made by the insertion of 56 aa into the immunodominant loop of the HBcAg. The sequences encoding the chimera were inserted into the pEAQ-HT vector and infiltrated into Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The plant-expressed chimeric HBcHEV ORF2 551–607 protein was recognized by an anti-HBcAg mAb and anti-HEV IgG positive swine serum. Electron microscopy showed that plant-produced chimeric protein spontaneously assembled into “knobbly” ~34 nm diameter VLPs. This study shows that HBcAg is a promising carrier platform for the neutralizing epitopes of hepatitis E virus (HEV) and the chimeric HBcAg/HEV VLPs could be a candidate for a bivalent vaccine.


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