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RIA evaluation of antibody levels in neonates from HBsAg-positive mothers after active, passive, and combined
Insights
Hepatitis B prevention in newborns: Passive prophylaxis with HBIG maintained antibody levels for 6 months. Active prophylaxis with small hepatitis B vaccine doses also showed immunogenicity, even with passive antibodies present.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Virology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a significant risk to newborns born to infected mothers.
- Effective prevention strategies are crucial to reduce vertical transmission and long-term complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of different hepatitis B prevention programs in infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers.
- To assess anti-HBs antibody titers following passive and active prophylaxis.
Main Methods:
- Study involved 20 infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers.
- Infants received either passive prophylaxis (HBIG for 6 months) or active prophylaxis (hepatitis B vaccine).
- Anti-HBs titers were measured at various time points post-prophylaxis.
Main Results:
- Passive prophylaxis with HBIG ensured detectable anti-HBs levels for 6 months.
- Antibodies were detectable 3 months after HBIG cessation in 5/9 infants, but not at 6 months.
- Active prophylaxis with low-dose hepatitis B vaccine (1.25 micrograms) induced anti-HBs response in 8/12 infants, including those receiving the first dose at birth.
- Small vaccine doses were immunogenic even in the presence of passive antibodies.
Conclusions:
- Passive prophylaxis with HBIG provides sustained antibody levels for 6 months post-partum.
- Low-dose hepatitis B vaccine is immunogenic in infants, demonstrating efficacy even with concurrent passive antibody presence.
- These findings support optimized vaccination schedules for preventing perinatal hepatitis B transmission.
Abstract:
We evaluated the anti-HBs titers in 20 babies born to HBsAg-positive mothers and receiving different programs designed to prevent hepatitis B. Passive prophylaxis by HBIG for 6 months assured detectable antibody levels in the same period. 3 months after the last injection we could detect antibodies in 5 out of 9 cases. In no case could we detect antibodies 6 months after the last dose. Active prophylaxis by hepatitis B vaccine was able to raise anti-HBs response in 8 out of 12 babies after two or three very small doses (1.25 micrograms of antigen). 2 of these babies were given the first dose at birth. Small doses of vaccine were immunogenic in the presence of passive antibodies.