Response to hepatitis B vaccine in relation to the hepatitis B status of family members
Inskip, H.M.; Hall, A.J.; Temple, I.K.; Loik, F.; Herbage, E.; Chotard, J.; Whittle, H.
International Journal of Epidemiology 20(3): 770-773
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-5771 PMID: 1835453 DOI: 10.1093/ije/20.3.770Document Number: 317220
As part of The Gambia Hepatitis Intervention Study (designed to protect children from hepatitis and therefore liver cancer when adults), researchers took blood samples from at least 291 families of 293 index children from Brikama in the western region and 2 neighboring health centers in the Upper River Division (URD) in the eastern area of The Gambia who had received the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine to examine vaccine response in infants in relation to the pattern of HBV infection in their families. 1 family member tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in at least 30% of the children. The researchers did not find a correlation between the level of antibody in the index children and the HBsAg status of the family. 23% of families in Brikama had at least 1 HBsAg positive member compared to 37% in URD (p=.01). Even though no association existed between child's response to the vaccine and type of dwelling, an association did exist between HBsAg positive family members and type of dwelling. 35% of families who lived in a house constructed of mud or grass had at least 1 HbsAG positive family member whereas only 19.7% who lived in a concrete house had at least 1 HBsAg positive family member (p.02). Further, 40.8% of families who lived under a thatched roof had at least 1 HbsAg positive family member compared to 24.8% who had a corrugated roof (p.02). The researchers suggested that houses constructed of mud or grass or with a thatched roof may harbor more insects which transmit HBV. The socioeconomic factors of sanitation and water supply did not contribute to HBV infection. They concluded that the HBV status of a child's family did not affect his/her response to the vaccine. Therefore the vaccine protects children at high risk of becoming HBV carriers.