The role of hepatitis B vaccine challenge dose in patients with underlying health conditions

Eliminating viral hepatitis in children after liver transplants: How to reach the goal by 2030

Viral hepatitis infections are a great burden in children who have received liver transplant. Hepatotropic viruses can cause liver inflammation that can develop into liver graft fibrosis and cirrhosis over the long term. Immunological reactions due to viral hepatitis infections are associated with or can mimic graft rejection, rendering the condition difficult to manage. Prevention strategies using vaccinations are agreeable to patients, safe, cost-effective and practical. Hence, strategies to eliminate viral hepatitis A and B focus mainly on immunization programmes for children who have received a liver transplant. Although a vaccine has been developed to prevent hepatitis C and E viruses, its use is not licensed worldwide. Consequently, eliminating hepatitis C and E viruses mainly involves early detection in children with suspected cases and effective treatment with antiviral therapy. Good hygiene and sanitation are also important to prevent hepatitis A and E infections. Donor blood products and liver grafts should be screened for hepatitis B, C and E in children who are undergoing liver transplantation. Future research on early detection of viral hepatitis infections should include molecular techniques for detecting hepatitis B and E. Moreover, novel antiviral drugs for eradicating viral hepatitis that are highly effective and safe are needed for children who have undergone liver transplantation.

Need to take special care of non-responders to hepatitis B vaccination among health-care workers, students and chronic patients

Both our research and that published by Sticchi et al. on immunological memory against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in health-care workers (HCWs) vaccinated as infants or adolescents confirm that in those testing negative after the primary course, one additional (fourth) booster dose is able to elicit an anti-HBs response in >85% subjects. The fifth and the sixth doses further contribute substantially to a high overall response rate. The rate of subjects showing an anamnestic response after the booster dose was almost six-fold higher in HCWs compared to chronic patients. Since universal vaccination in Italy resulted in a significant decrease in HBV infections, special attention and testing should be addressed to those affected by chronic diseases.