A randomised controlled trial of intradermal hepatitis B vaccination and augmentation of response with erythropoietin

Intradermal administration of Hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) achieves better seroconversion in patients on dialysis compared to intramuscular administration. The aim of the study was to determine whether twice weekly intradermal injections of the vaccine can further augment the vaccine response as compared to once weekly injections. Patients with end stage renal failure on haemodialysis were randomly allocated over a period of 22 months to receive 20 mu gms of recombinant HBV by intradermal injections once a week (group 1) or twice a week (group 2) for 6 weeks. The patients recruited during the first 12 months of the study did not receive recombinant human erythropoietin (Epo) as it was not available (phase 1). During the last 10 months of study all patients received Epo (phase 2) in addition to HBV.

A total of 85 patients were enrolled of whom 77 completed the study. There were 41 patients in group 1 and 36 patients in group 2. Seroprotection (anti HBs > 10 mIU/ml in the absence of HBs Ag and anti HBc) was achieved in 56.1% patients of group I compared to 77.8% of group 2 (p < 0.05). The seroprotection rate was 78.1% among patients receiving Epo (phase 2) compared to 60% among 45 who did not receive Epo (phase 1). Anti HBs titre in responders was 308.5 +/- 148.7 mIU/ml in patients of phase 2 compared to 198 +/- 112.8 mIU/ml in patients of phase 1 (p < 0.05). The subgroup receiving both Epo and twice weekly vaccine (group 2 of phase 2) had the highest seroprotection rate of 86.7%.

Twice weekly intradermal vaccination is more effective than once weekly regime in achieving rapid seroconversion. The vaccine response may be augmented by use of Epo probably due to reduction in transfusion requirement and concomitant immunosuppression.