Changes in hepatitis B virus antibody titers over time among children: a single center study from 2012 to 2015 in an urban of South Korea

Abstract

BackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most common cause of liver disease in endemic areas such as South Korea. After HBV vaccination, hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) titers gradually decrease. Trends in HBsAb titers have not been evaluated among children in South Korea over the past decade.MethodsWe screened 6155 patients (aged 7 months to 17 years) who underwent HBV antigen/antibody testing at Chung-Ang University Hospital from May 2012 to April 2015. Titer criteria were defined as follows: positive, titer ≥100 IU/L; weakly positive, titer 10–99 IU/L; and negative, titer <10 IU/L. We also compared titers before and 1 month after a single booster vaccination.ResultsOf the 5655 patients included, 3016 were male and 5 (0.09%) tested positive for HBV surface antigen. A marked reduction in antibody titer was observed until 4 years of age. Thereafter, the titers showed fluctuating decreases. HBsAb titers reached their lowest levels by 14 years of age. After 7 years of age, 50% of patients tested negative for HBsAb. Simple linear analysis showed that the titer reached levels of <10 IU/L and zero at 12.9 and 13.4 years of age, respectively. 1 month after a single booster vaccination was administered to those who were HBsAb-negative (n = 72), 69 children (96%) had developed antibodies while 3 (4%) remained HBsAb-negative.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the continuous reduction in HBsAb titers over time and in each age group was confirmed. The titer level was shown significant decline until age 4. More than half of the sample had negative titers after age 7 years. After booster vaccination, most of child significantly increase titer level.

Seroconversion of Hepatitis B Vaccine in Young Bangladeshi Children: A Tertiary Centre Experience

“…The present study shows that the protective level of HBV antibody gradually decreasing with increase of age (Figure 4). Several studies conducted in different countries for example from Bangladesh [7], South Korea [18], Yemen [19], China [20], Ghana [17] and Palestine [21] observed the similar results. Now the question is, whether the booster vaccination is needed or not.…”

Changes in hepatitis B antibody status after chemotherapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

“…However, in the general population, HBsAb titers usually decrease over time after HBV vaccination even without chemotherapy. A previous study from South Korea revealed that about 60% of immunocompetent children aged 6 years and 50% of children aged 9‐10 years had HBsAb titers ≥10 IU/L . In our study, 63.6% of patients had HBsAb positivity at diagnosis (median age of 6.8 years) while only 13.6% of patients had protective levels of HBsAb after completion of chemotherapy (median age of 9.9 years).…”

“…In South Korea, although the prevalence of HBV infection has decreased after introduction of the nationwide HBV vaccination program, HBV infection remains one of the major causes of acute and chronic liver disease. [8][9][10] Therefore, the loss of HBV antibodies is an important health issue for survivors of ALL in South Korea.…”

“…However, in previous studies, the study populations, treatment protocol, and the clinical factors associated with the loss of protective antibodies varied between cohorts. In South Korea, although the prevalence of HBV infection has decreased after introduction of the nationwide HBV vaccination program, HBV infection remains one of the major causes of acute and chronic liver disease . Therefore, the loss of HBV antibodies is an important health issue for survivors of ALL in South Korea.…”

Changes in the hepatitis B surface antibody in childhood acute lymphocytic leukaemia survivors after treatment with the CCLG-ALL 2008 protocol

“…However, in the healthy population, HBsAb titres usually decrease over time. A previous study from South Korea revealed that approximately 60% of immunocompetent children aged 6 years and 50% of children aged 9-10 years had HBsAb titres ≥ 10 IU/l [13]. Another study showed that 45•6%~71•2% of Chinese population aged < 20 years had protective HBsAb titres [14].…”