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Updated: Apr 11, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in Hepatitis B Virus Detection
Published on: December 15, 2023
Hepatitis B virus seroconversion rates among health sciences students in the southeastern United States
P Brandon Bookstaver1, Jenna L Foster2, Z Kevin Lu1
1a Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Outcomes Sciences , SC College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina , Columbia , South Carolina , USA.
Objective:
To investigate the hepatitis B virus (HBV) seroconversion rate among health sciences students.
Participants:
The study included pharmacy, doctor of nursing, and medical students over 18 years of age enrolled at the University of South Carolina between 2007 and 2011.
Methods:
The primary end point was HBV seroconversion rates among students at the initial reporting period. Seroconversion was defined as hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) level greater than or equal to 10 mIU/mL. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine predictive factors of seroconversion.
Results:
Of 777 records, data were available for 709 students. An 83.9% seroconversion rate was observed after a mean of 10 years between vaccine receipt and anti-HBs evaluation. Students with incomplete HBV vaccine series and longer time between initial series and evaluation were less likely to exhibit antibody response.
Conclusions:
These data highlight the importance of assessment and documentation of HBV vaccination series among health sciences students prior to direct patient care activities.
