Evaluation of methods of pre-vaccination screening for markers of hepatitis B infection

Papaevangelou, G; Roumeliotou‐Karayannis, Anastasia; Tassopoulos, Nicolaos C.; Richardson, Clive; Stathopoulou, Paraskevi; Papadoyannakis, N.; Tsantoulis, N.; Politi, Katerina; Tassiopoulou, A.

doi:10.1007/bf00141800

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 12 publications

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“…As a result most of the thalassaemic children and haemodylised patients have already been infected and represent the m o s t i m p o r t a n t high risk groups as it was found in Greece (2,6). As a result most of the thalassaemic children and haemodylised patients have already been infected and represent the m o s t i m p o r t a n t high risk groups as it was found in Greece (2,6).…”

Section: The Results Of the Present Study Clearly Show That Hbv Infecmentioning

confidence: 81%

Epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis B virus infection in cyprus

et al. 1988

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The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Cyprus was estimated in a sample of 795 blood donors, 388 armed forces recruits, 1872 hospital staff, 135 haemodialysis patients, 559 thalassaemic patients, 722 institutionalised adults, 98 mentally retarded children and 323 family contacts of HBsAg carriers. Commercially available radioimmunoassays were used for screening. Merck Sharpe and Dohme hepatitis B vaccine was used for a vaccination pilot program. Our results showed that the carrier rate of HBsAg in the blood donor and army recruit samples ranged between 0.77% and 1.01% and the prevalence of past infection between 11.1% and 13.6%. Among high risk groups the highest carrier rate was found in family contacts of HBsAg carriers (18.27%), in mentally retarded children (6.12%) and in institutionalized adult patients (5.40%). The frequency of immunes was found 28.5%, 12.2% and 33.2% respectively. The highest frequency of immunes was found in thalassaemic (82.9%) and haemodialysis (43.7%) patients. The carrier rate (2.94%) and the prevalence of immunes (22.5%) in hospital personnel was higher than in general population. Vaccination studies in a limited number of thalassaemic children and hospital personnel showed excellent acceptance of vaccination and excellent immunogenicity. We infer that HBV infection should be consider as a major public health problem in Cyprus. A National Vaccination program has to be implemented for containing its spread.

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Section: The Results Of the Present Study Clearly Show That Hbv Infecmentioning

confidence: 81%

Epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis B virus infection in cyprus

et al. 1988

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Sypsa

Hadjipaschali

Hatzakis

2001

European Journal of Epidemiology

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A cross-sectional study was carried out in employees of 17 Greek companies with the aim of assessing the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) virus, identifying associated prognostic/risk factors and evaluating the effectiveness of a questionnaire as a pre-screening tool. All participants were asked to complete a questionnaire and a random sample of them was asked to provide a blood sample for hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to hepatitis C (anti-HCV) testing. Individual questions or combinations of them were evaluated in terms of their ability to detect HBV or HCV(+) cases. Of 9085 eligible employees, 6074 (67%) completed the questionnaire. Of 990 samples obtained, 19.9% were anti-HBc(+), 2.6% HBsAg(+) and 0.5% anti-HCV(+). All anti-HCV(+) cases had multiple parenteral risk factors. Multiple logistic regression identified associations between anti-HBc and older age, family members with chronic hepatitis, job category and history of transfusion before 1992. HBsAg(+) was associated with older age and history of transfusion before 1992. None of the risk/prognostic factors had sufficient sensitivity and specificity for HBV but report of at least one risk factor identified all HCV(+) cases. Anti-HCV screening of those with at least two parenteral risk factors not only identified all anti-HCV(+) cases but also resulted in 86% decrease in the screening cost. Under the light of recent treatment advances, targeted questionnaire-based screening of asymptomatic people may prove to be a cost-effective way to face hepatitis C.

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Immune Response of Immunocompromised Children with Malignancies to a Recombinant Hepatitis B Vaccine

Polychronopoulou-Androulakaki

Panagiotou

Kostaridou

et al. 1996

Pediatric Hematology and Oncology

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The aim of this study was to interpret the antibody response to hepatitis B vaccination following an intensified four-dose schedule in 140 cancer patients who presented at our clinic between January 1, 1993 and December 31, 1994. According to therapy status, the patients were divided into two groups: group A consisted of 76 patients undergoing chemotherapy and group B of 64 patients in complete remission and off treatment. The eligibility requirements were negative hepatitis B virus (HBV), HCV, and human immunodeficiency virus serologic markers. A total of four dose (20 micrograms per dose) of recombinant HB vaccine was administered intramuscularly in the deltoid region at 0, 1, 2, and 6 months. Blood from the vaccinated subjects was obtained at months 1, 2, 3, and 7 in order to measure anti-HBs titer levels. Protective anti-HBs titers were considered to be those > or = 10 mIU/mL. The overall seroconversion rate 1 month after the fourth dose was 57% (80/140 patients), and the seroconversion rates for groups A and B were 31.5% (24/76 patients) and 87.5% (56/64 patients), respectively. Our results indicated that immunocompromised children undergoing chemotherapy (although less responsive than children in complete remission and off treatment) still preserved their potential to produce protective titers of anti-HBs. On this basis we recommend (1) HB vaccination after diagnosis of malignancy in pediatric patients whenever a high prevalence of HB infection exists and (2) vaccination of patients of therapy and in complete remission.

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Evaluation of methods of pre-vaccination screening for markers of hepatitis B infection

Cited by 3 publications

References 12 publications

Epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis B virus infection in cyprus

Epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis B virus infection in cyprus

Untitled

Immune Response of Immunocompromised Children with Malignancies to a Recombinant Hepatitis B Vaccine

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