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Prolonged hepatitis B surface antigenemia after vaccination.
E R Lunn1, B J Hoggarth, W J Cook
1Department of Pediatrics, Altru Health System, 1000 S Columbia Rd, Grand Forks, ND 58201, USA. elunn@medicine.nodak.edu
Pediatrics
|June 2, 2000
Summary
Routine hepatitis B vaccination can cause a prolonged positive hepatitis B surface antigen test, leading to blood donation deferral. Further research is needed to understand vaccine-induced antigenemia duration.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus infection poses significant health risks, including chronic infection, liver cancer, liver failure, and mortality.
- Hepatitis B vaccination is a standard preventative measure against the virus.
Observation:
- A case study documented a prolonged positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) result in an individual 18 days post-Engerix B vaccination.
- This vaccine-induced positive HBsAg led to blood donation rejection and permanent deferral.
Findings:
- The individual experienced unnecessary medical referral and anxiety due to the false-positive HBsAg test.
- The duration of hepatitis B surface antigenemia following vaccination requires further investigation.
Implications:
- Blood collection centers must be informed about the potential for vaccine-induced positive HBsAg to prevent donor deferral and unnecessary testing.
- Understanding the timeline of antigenemia post-vaccination is crucial for accurate screening and donor management.