Immune Response to Hepatitis B Virus Vaccine Among People Living With HIV: A Meta-Analysis

BackgroundThere is conflicting evidence about whether a double dose of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine induces better immunity than the standard-dose vaccine for people living with HIV (PLWH). This study provides a meta-analysis that summarizes the efficacy of HBV vaccine regimens among HIV-infected patients, clarifying the role of particular factors such as dose and frequency of vaccination in vaccine responsiveness and highlighting the need for evidence-based practice to assess HBV vaccination among PLWH.MethodsRandomized clinical trials (RCTs) and prospective studies reporting vaccination response rates among PLWH were found through a search of PubMed, Cochrane, and the Web of Science. The key outcome was vaccine response. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled response rate. Subgroup analysis was conducted to evaluate key factors and explore sources of heterogeneity. Possible biases were assessed using quality and publication bias assessment.ResultsEligible studies included controlled trials that examined the effects of 17 interventional studies with 1,821 participants. Among PLWH who received the HBV vaccine, the pooled response rate of HBV vaccination was 71.5% (95% CI 64.0%–77.9%, p < 0.001). Compared with the standard dose (65.5%, 95% CI 53.1%–76.1%), the double dose (75.2%, 95% CI 66.2%–82.5%) was associated with a better response rate [Q(1) = 19.617, p < 0.001]. When stratified by schedule, the four-dose schedule (89.7%, 95% CI 83.1%–93.9%) had a higher response rate than the three-dose schedule (63.3%, 95% CI 56.6%–69.4%) and the difference was significant [Q(1) = 88.305, p < 0.001]. PLWH with higher CD4+ T-cell counts (>500 cells/mm3) at the time of vaccination had better response rates [Q(1) = 88.305, p < 0.001].ConclusionsIn this meta-analysis, the double dose of the HBV vaccine and multiple injections were associated with better immune responses than the standard HBV vaccine regimen in PLWH. Higher seroconversion rates were observed in PLWH with high CD4+ T-cell levels, indicating that individuals infected with HIV should receive the HBV vaccine as soon as possible after diagnosis.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/.

Undetectable Anti-HBs Antibodies: Need of a Booster Dose for HIV-1-Infected Individuals

HBV vaccination effectively prevents HBV transmission and the development of liver cancer. Disease progression and liver-related complications are more common in HIV-1/HBV co-infected than HBV mono-infected individuals. A considerable body of literature, which will be reviewed here, indicates that response to HBV vaccine is suboptimal in HIV-1-infected individuals and that the poor maintenance of protective immunity to HBV vaccines in these individuals is an important medical issue. Several factors affect HBV vaccine response during HIV-1 infection including CD4+ T cell counts, B cell response, vaccine formulation, schedules, and timing of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The initial response to HBV vaccination also plays a critical role in the sustainability of antibody responses in both HIV-1-infected and uninfected vaccinees. Thus, regular follow-up for antibody titer and a booster dose is warranted to prevent HBV transmission in HIV-1 infected people.

Hepatitis B and Asymptomatic Malaria Infection among Pregnant Women in a Semiurban Community of North-Central Nigeria

Background. The overlap of malaria and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections present a major threat to public health throughout endemic countries of tropical and sub-Saharan Africa. There is a paucity of data on the prevalence and associated factors of malaria and HBV infections among pregnant women in Ejule, a semiurban area of Nigeria. Therefore, the current study was designed to assess the seroprevalence of malaria and HBV among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Ejule Metropolis. Materials and Methods. In a hospital-based cross-sectional study, blood samples collected from 200 apparently healthy pregnant women at the Ilemona Clinic were screened for Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) and HBsAg using histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), respectively. Relevant sociodemographic and putative risk factor information was obtained with structured questionnaires. Results. The prevalence of the infections was 44 (22%), 5 (2.5%), and 1 (0.5%) for P. falciparum monoinfection and HBV monoinfection and coinfection, respectively. Single and concurrent infections peaked at ages 31–40 years but decreased with older ages. High P. falciparum, 31 (59.62%), and HBV 2 (3.85%) infection were observed among those without formal education. Contrary to ages, occupation, and knowledge of infection, malaria parasitemia differed significantly with lower educational qualification ( p ≤ 0.001 ), being single ( p = 0.001 ), and inconsistent use of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) ( p = 0.04 , OR = 5, CI: 0.10–0.47). History of blood donation (OR = 5, p = 0.04 , CI: 1.10–32.80) and multiple sex partners (OR = 11.9, p = 0.01 , CI: 0.01–0.93) were found to be significantly associated with hepatitis B surface antigenemia rate during pregnancy. No evidence of HBV infection was observed in women with a history of HBV vaccination. Conclusions. Malaria is still highly prevalent among pregnant women due to high illiteracy and noncompliance to using ITNs. Therefore, routine screening and educating pregnant mothers are crucial in eliminating malaria in endemic settings. The low rate of hepatitis B and coinfection with malaria shows that further improvement in HBV vaccination could considerably reduce the disease burden among pregnant women.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Infections among Incarcerated Individuals in Iran: A Cross-Sectional National Bio-behavioral Study in 2019

Introduction: To realize the global goals of eliminating hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030, it is necessary to monitor the status of disease among target populations and undertake the required interventions. This study is the third round of surveys to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and C infections among incarcerated individuals in different provinces of Iran. Methods: This study was conducted in five provinces of Iran (including Kurdistan, Ardabil, West Azerbaijan, Markazi, and Semnan) in 2019. The subjects of the study were selected from incarcerated people in prisons of all provinces that had not been studied in the previous two rounds of the surveys (in 2015 and 2016) in Iran. In this study, 15 prisons were selected and 2475 incarcerated individuals were enrolled into the study based on the multistage sampling method; the selected subjects were surveyed and their dried blood spot (DBS) samples were collected to test HBsAg and HCV-Ab. In cases with a reactive result for HCV-Ab, an HCV-RNA test was also performed on their serum samples. The relationships between independent variables and outcomes were evaluated via logistic regression. Results: Of all participants (2475 subjects) enrolled in the study, 54.18% were selected from northern provinces and 45.82% from the central provinces. The prevalence of HCV-Ab and HBsAg among incarcerated individuals was 5.66% (95% CI: 4.81% to 6.64%) and 2.42% (95% CI: 1.89% to 3.11%), respectively. Among HCV-seropositive individuals, 73.68% (95% CI: 64.70% to 81.01%) had current HCV infection (detectable HCV-RNA). The results showed that histories of imprisonment, drug use, unprotected sexual contact, drug injection, tattooing, and younger age in the first-time drug use in incarcerated individuals significantly increased the risk of HCV transmission. Among these behaviors, drug injection was more likely than other behaviors to result in contracting HCV in incarcerated individuals (OR: 22.91; 95% CI: 14.92–35.18; p < 0.001). Conclusion: To achieve international and national strategies targeted to eliminate HCV and HBV by 2030, it is necessary to pay special attention to prisons in Iran. It is recommended to continue HBV vaccination of eligible people in prisons. Developing screening and treatment protocols for individuals with HCV infection in prisons can help the country to achieve HCV elimination goals.

Immunologic Response to Hepatitis B Virus Vaccination among Human Immunodeficiency Virus Thai Adults without Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Background: It is currently recommended that hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine be provided for every HIV-infected patient with no HBV immunity. HBV immunization program for HIV-infected patients was suggested to be given in three doses of vaccine at zero, one and six months. HBV vaccine has been included in the Thai immunization program for newborns for three doses, at birth, M2, and M6. Hence, one dose of vaccination might respond in complete protective immunity in some of the HIV patients. Objective: To evaluate HIV-infected patients’ response to one dose of vaccine and their associated factors. Materials and Methods: The present study was a Retrospective Cohort Study. It recruited patients who had come to Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital for their hepatitis B vaccination between January 1, 2018 and March 31, 2020. Eligible patients were infected with HIV, received ART, and had CD4 of more than 200 cells/mm³. The authors collected data from the patients having anti-HBs of less than 10 mIU/mL with negative anti-HBc who received HBV vaccine. From the medical records, the authors evaluated their anti-HBs titer after the first dose of vaccination, and the titer after a third dose, in cases the result of the first dose was negative. Results: Of the 88 HIV-infected patients who received HBV vaccination, 19 patients (21.6%) showed protective anti-HBs after the first dose of vaccination. Factors associated with the presence of anti-HBs after the first dose included age as the patients of 29 years or older had protective anti-HBs of 15% and the patients younger than 29 years old had protective anti-HBs of 43% (p=0.013), and anti-HBs titer before the vaccination as the patients with titer of less than 2 mIU/mL had protective anti-HBs of 17% and the patients with titer of 2 to less than 10 mIU/mL had protective anti-HBs of 44% (p=0.038). Conclusion: Some HIV-infected patients have developed protective anti-HBs after the first dose of HBV vaccination especially the younger age of less than 29 years old and with an anti-HBs titer before vaccination of 2 mlU/mL or above. Almost half of them required only one HBV booster to achieve protective anti-HBs. Keywords: Vaccine; Hepatitis B; HIV; Vaccination; Immunity

Risk of HBV infection among male and female first-time blood donors born before and after the July 1986 HBV vaccination program in Taiwan

Background In July 1984, Taiwan officially began a nationwide hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination program where only infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers were vaccinated free of charge until June 1986. However, from July 1986, all infants were vaccinated against HBV. The impact of the July 1986 HBV vaccination program on first-time blood donors has not been exhaustively studied. We, therefore, determined the risk of HBV among male and female first-time blood donors born before and after the July 1986 HBV vaccination program in Taiwan. Methods Initially, we recruited 857,310 first-time blood donors whose data were collected between 2013 and 2018 from 5 blood donation centers in Taiwan. However, we excluded donors with incomplete and outlying data (n = 12,213) and those born between July 1984 and June 1986 (n = 21,054). The final study participants comprised 9118 HBV positive and 814,925 HBV negative individuals. We divided the participants into two birth cohorts (born before and after July 1986) and assumed that those born before July 1986 were not vaccinated at birth while those born after July 1986 were vaccinated. Results The prevalence of HBV among those born before and after July 1986 was 4.53 and 0.25%, respectively. Individuals born after July 1986 had a lower risk of HBV than those born before July 1986. The adjusted odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.16, 0.13–0.19. Men had a higher risk of HBV than women (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.34–1.47). The interaction between sex and birth date was significant (p-value = 0.0067). Stratification of participants by birth date revealed a higher risk of HBV in men compared to women in both birth cohorts. The OR, 95% CI was 1.47, 1.40–1.55 for those born before July 1986 but declined to 1.15, 1.02–1.29 for those born after July 1986. Conclusions The risk of HBV was lower among those born after than those born before the July 1986 vaccination program. In both cohorts, the risk was high in men relative to women. The seemingly protective effect among those born after July 1986 was higher in women than men.

Hepatitis B and C during pregnancy

The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview of current knowledge about pregnancy and hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, and current methods to reduce mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Maternal infection with HBV or HCV is associated with complicated pregnancy and childbirth outcomes, including MTCT. In countries, including the United States, which introduced postpartum HBV vaccination and immunization with hepatitis B immunoglobulin, MTCT overall decreased to about 5%. However, with maternal HBV levels greater than 200,000 IU/ml, the transmission rate of HBV to neonates is almost 30%. For these patients, there are new recommendations from the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), which indicate that, in addition to vaccination of newborns and their immunization, treatment with antiviral drugs such as tenofovir disoproxil fumarate or telbivudine, used during pregnancy, starting from 32 weeks is necessary, that are safe and effective in preventing mother-to-child transmission. Unlike HBV, no therapy is yet available or recommended to further reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HCV infection, which remains by 310%. MTCT of HCV can be minimized by avoiding obstetrics and birth trauma if possible. Young women with HCV should be sent for treatment after delivery, and newborns should be closely monitored to rule out infection. Newer, better tolerated HCV regimens have become more available and should reduce the number of women and babies infected.