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Response to vaccination against hepatitis B in patients with Behcet's disease
Author(s) -
ERKEK EMEL,
AYASLIOGLU ERGIN,
ERKEK AYHAN BULENT,
KURTIPEK GULCAN SAYLAM,
BAGCI YETER
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2005.03903.x
Subject(s) - medicine , vaccination , hepatitis b , behcet's disease , immunology , hepatitis a , hepatitis b virus , population , immunization , hepatitis , hepatitis b vaccine , disease , antibody , virus , hbsag , environmental health
Background and Aim: Hepatitis B virus infection is an important public health problem in Turkey. Although hepatitis B vaccination is regarded as safe and effective for the general population, recommendations for hepatitis B immunization in patients with Behcet's disease are not clear. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the response of patients with Behcet's disease to hepatitis B vaccination and to determine whether hepatitis B vaccination has any adverse effects on the course of the disease. Methods: Thirteen patients with Behcet's disease and 15 healthy individuals were enrolled into a prospective study. All subjects received the 3‐dose series of routine hepatitis B vaccine. Anti‐hepatitis B surface response was evaluated 1–3 months after the third dose of vaccine. Results: The responder rates for patient and control groups were 12/13 (92.8%) and 14/15 (93.8%), respectively. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of both the responder rates and mean antibody titers. Conclusions: These preliminary findings might suggest that the majority of patients with Behcet's disease develop protective antibody response after hepatitis B vaccination and that the immune response against hepatitis B surface antigen is adequate, efficient and intact. © 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd