{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Successful response of intradermal hepatitis B vaccine in nonresponders of intramuscular hepatitis B vaccine in general and hemodialysis population.
{Author}: Hanif FM;Mehmood N;Majid Z;Luck NH;Laeeq SM;Tasneem AA;Ul Haque MM;
{Journal}: Saudi J Gastroenterol
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: Oct 2020 28
{Factor}: 3.214
{DOI}: 10.4103/sjg.SJG_300_20
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Hepatitis B infection is one of the most common infections worldwide, with its vaccination being an effective preventive measure. Nonresponse to hepatitis B vaccination increases population susceptibility to virus dissemination along with detrimental complications. Despite twice intramuscular vaccination series, 14.3% in the general population and 50% in hemodialysis patients fail to mount a response against hepatitis B. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of intradermal (ID) vaccination in the nonresponders amongst the general and hemodialysis population.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A total of 5 doses of 10 μg of hepatitis B vaccine was given intradermally, 2 weeks apart, to both the study groups: patients who were on hemodialysis and the general population group who previously had failed to achieve satisfactory antibody titers with the IM administration of the vaccine. A hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) titer of ≥10 IU/mL and ≥100 IU/mL were considered "responder" and "good responder," respectively.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Out of a total of 95 participants, 49 (51.6%) were hemodialysis-dependent. Most of the participants were females 49 (51.6%). The mean age of all the participants was 39.02 ± 13.5 years (range: 18-70 years). Overall, 75.8% of the participants responded to the ID vaccination with a mean HBsAb titer of 263.5 ± 350.1 IU/L. Almost similar vaccination response was observed in both the hemodialysis and general population i.e., 75.5% and 76.1%, respectively (P = 1.00). In the hemodialysis group, the absence of hypertension (P = 0.04) and age ≥36 years (P = 0.016) were associated with an ID vaccination response.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>For those not responding to the conventional IM route of the hepatitis B vaccine, the ID route is an effective way of immunization in this group and this approach would lead to a decrease in infection rates in the vulnerable population such as those on hemodialysis.