Undetectable Plasma HIV RNA Load Predicts Success after Hepatitis B Vaccination in HIV-Infected Persons

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients respond poorly to hepatitis B vaccination. Records of 194 HIV-infected patients were reviewed for factors associated with successful hepatitis B vaccination. Thirty-four patients (17.5%) developed a protective antibody response. In a logistic regression model, only a plasma HIV RNA level of <400 copies/mL at the time of vaccination was associated with a protective antibody response (P=.003).

B cells in early and chronic HIV infection: evidence for preservation of immune function associated with early initiation of antiretroviral therapy

“…Many of the functional B-cell defects described in HIV-viremic individuals can be improved with ART, although there is 1 important exception that has received relatively little attention. While B-cell responses against non-HIV antigens are either stabilized or increased after initiation of ART, [19][20][21][22] the reverse is often observed for B-cell responses against HIV antigens, 15,23,24 suggesting that the humoral response against HIV is dependent on continuous HIV replication. In the most comprehensive study on B-cell responses after ART, Morris and colleagues described a rapid loss of HIV-specific B cells (actively secreting plasmablasts) during therapy, followed by a more gradual decrease in antibody titers against HIV in chronically infected individuals; the loss was even more rapid in early-treated individuals.…”

Broadly Cross-Neutralizing Antibodies in HIV-1 Patients with Undetectable Viremia

“…Modifications in B cell counts after 12 months of ART have been detected in a group of individuals with chronic HIV infection (59). In these patients, ART leads to a significant increase in B cell numbers and to a normalization of B cell subpopulations, providing a possible explanation for improved B cell responses to both T cell-independent and T cell-dependent immunogens after ART (29,44,66). Remarkably, there is little information about the humoral immune response against HIV in ART patients.…”

Immunization of HIV-infected adult patients — French recommendations

“…54 HBV vaccine immunogenicity is strongly linked to the patient immunovirological status, better response being reported in patients with undetectable HIV viral load and good immune reconstitution on treatment (CD4 cell count > 350-500/mm 3 ). 54,[59][60][61][62] Induced anti-HBs antibodies titeris generally lower in HIVinfected people and declines more rapidly over time. 24 HCV co infection is associated with lower vaccine response.…”