Hepatitis B immunity in the pediatric liver transplant population

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Stem Cell-Derived Viral Ag-Specific T Lymphocytes Suppress HBV Replication in Mice
07:25

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Published on: September 25, 2019

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Shreena S Patel1, Daniel H Leung

  • 1aDepartment of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine bPediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.

Current Opinion in Pediatrics
|July 2, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) non-immunity is common in pediatric liver transplant candidates. Annual antibody testing and booster vaccinations are crucial for protecting these children against HBV infection.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Immunology
  • Pediatric Transplantation

Background:

  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes significant vaccine-preventable deaths.
  • Insufficient HBV immunity has unique implications for pediatric liver transplant recipients.
  • The liver's role in immune regulation is critical for transplant success.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Review the significance of HBV infection in pediatric liver transplant candidates.
  • Discuss vaccination and screening strategies for adequate HBV immunity.
  • Highlight the need for improved immunoprotection in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on HBV infection and immunity in pediatric liver transplant recipients.
  • Analysis of vaccination and screening protocols.
  • Discussion of immune response factors in pediatric transplantation.

Main Results:

  • HBV non-immunity is more prevalent than expected, even after vaccination.
  • Annual measurement of HBV surface antibodies is recommended to guide booster or re-vaccination.
  • Liver disease can deplete lymphocyte populations, impacting immune response.

Conclusions:

  • Achieving adequate HBV immunity pre- and post-transplant is critical for pediatric liver transplant recipients.
  • Further research into factors predicting poor immune response to childhood vaccines, especially HBV, is needed.
  • Functional cellular and humoral immunity studies are warranted in pediatric transplantation.
Abstract

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