Anti-Hepatitis B Antibody Levels In Immunized Medical Students: Are They At Risk?

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2019 May 16:52:e20180132. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0132-2018.

Abstract

Introduction: Medical students have an occupational risk for hepatitis B (HB). This study sought to determine anti-HBs and anti-HBc IgG levels in vaccinated students, check their seroconversion, and correlate this with vaccination.

Methods: One hundred and forty-three students' blood samples and their vaccination schedules were analyzed.

Results: 65.7% were positive for anti-HBs; however, anti-HBs was absent in 34.3%. Only two samples were positive for anti-HBc IgG.

Conclusions: More than 30% of students did not have minimum protective levels. Comparing HBV vaccination and anti-HBs reactivity, the majority of reactive individuals received their last dose within the past 16 years.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B / prevention & control*
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies / blood
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies / immunology
  • Hepatitis B Core Antigens / blood
  • Hepatitis B Core Antigens / immunology
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / blood
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / immunology
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B virus / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Male
  • Students, Medical*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Antibodies
  • Hepatitis B Core Antigens
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines
  • Immunoglobulin G