Correlation between immunogenetic markers and "in vivo" response to the german hepatitis B vaccine

The antibody response to the German HB-vaccine in 100 volunteers was investigated with respect to the individual immunogenetic markers. After 3 doses of vaccine at days 0, 28 and 140, 7 serum samples were collected at days 0, 28, 56, 98, 140, 154, 168 and anti-HBs concentrations determined. Seroconversion was 96% after the 3rd injection with a mean antibody concentration of 947 mIU/ml. On the basis of antibody values on day 154 four groups of responders could be observed. Nonresponders, late and low responders, early and high responders and mixed type high responders with an early peak (IgM) between days 28 and 42. Assigning immunogenetic markers of the HLA-system and immunoglobulin G-allotype system to the different groups yielded evidence that HLA-DR3 is associated with higher antibody production towards HBsAg.