Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Epidemiologic evaluation of the immunity against hepatitis B in Alexandria, Egypt

  • Published:
European Journal of Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B (HB) vaccine represents one of the major achievements in the 20th century. The most important epidemiologic factor affecting the chronic carrier rate is age of infection. The earlier in life an infection occurs, the higher the probability that this infection will result in chronic carriage. Methods: A seroepidemiologic study was conducted to examine the impact of HB vaccination on the carrier state among a vaccinated group of children (1000) compared to a non-vaccinated group (500) aged 6 years in Alexandria, Egypt. Results: The rate of HbsAg positivity among the vaccinated group was found to be 0.8% compared to 2.2% among the non-vaccinated group. The study showed that the efficacy of HB vaccine in preventing the carriage of HbsAg, 5 years after full course vaccination, was estimated to be around 67%. However, long-term monitoring should continue to confirm the efficacy of the vaccine in preventing chronic carrier state. On the other hand, studying the exposure to some risk factors associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection revealed more or less a similar pattern of exposure among both vaccinated and unvaccinated children. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the significantly lower rate of HbsAg positivity among the vaccinated compared to the rate among the non-vaccinated is attributed to the preventive effect of the vaccine.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. World Health Organization. Hepatitis B vaccine - making a global progress. Expanded Programme on Immunization. Up-date, October 1996.

  2. West DJ, Calandra GB. Vaccine induced immunologic memory for hepatitis B surface antigen: Implications for policy on booster vaccination. Vaccine 1996; 14(11): 1019–1027.

    Google Scholar 

  3. International Conference on the Control of Hepatitis B in the Developing World. Towards the elimination of hepatitis B: A guide to the implementation of national immunization program in the developing world. Yaounde, Cameroon, October 7-9, 1991.

  4. Mahoney FJ. Update on diagnosis management and prevention of hepatitis B virus infection. Clin Microbiol Rev 1999; 12(2): 351–366.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Kaklamani E, Trichopoulos D, Tzonou A. Hepatitis B and C and their interaction in the origin of hepatocellular carcinoma. JAMA 1991; 265: 1974–1976.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Beasley RP, Hwang L. Overview on the epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma. In: Hollinger BE, Lemon SM, Margolis H (eds), Proceedings of the 1990 International Symposium on Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease: Contemporary Issues and Future Prospects. Baltimaore, Maryland, USA: Williams & Wilkins, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  7. West DJ, Calandra GB, Hesley TM, Iloit V, Miller WJ. Control of hepatitis B through routine immunization of infants: The need for flexible schedules and new combination vaccine formulations. Vaccine 1993; 11(Suppl 1): S21–S27.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Kane MA. Status of hepatitis B immunization programmes in 1998. Vaccine 1998; 16: S104–S108.

    Google Scholar 

  9. World Health Organization. Inter-country Workshop on the Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis. Cairo, Egypt, 16-20 April, 1995. WHO Regional Of-fice, EMRO. EM/EPD/92/E.

  10. Mansour E, Baron ER. The expanded programme on immunization in Egypt 1984-1994. Cairo: Ministry of Health, Child Survival Project, 1995; XXVIII.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Fields HA, Davis CL, Bradley DW, Maynard JE. Experimental conditions affecting the sensitivity of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Bull World Health Organization 1983; 61(1): 135–142.

    Google Scholar 

  12. World Health Organization. Field evaluation of vaccine efficacy. EPI/GEN/1984/10. Rev.

  13. Viviani S, Jack A, Hall AJ, et al. Hepatitis B vaccination in infancy in Gambia: Protection against carriage at 9 years of age. Vaccine 1999; 17(23-23): 2946–2950.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Hsu HM, Lu CF, Lee SC, et al. Seroepidemiologic survey for hepatitis B virus infection in Taiwan: The effect of hepatitis B mass immunization. J Infect Dis 1999; 179(2): 367–370.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Ruff TA, Gertig DM, Otto BF, et al. Lombok Hepatitis B Model Immunization Project: Toward universal infant hepatitis B immunization in Indonesia. J Infect Dis 1999; 171: 290–296.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Maupas P, Barin F, Chiron JP, et al. Efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine in prevention of early HbsAg carrier state in children. Lancet 1981; 289–292.

  17. Da Villa G, Piccinino F, Scolastico M, et al. Long-term epidemiological survey of hepatitis B virus infection in a hyperendemic area (Arayola, Southern Italy): Results of a pilot vaccination project. Res Virol 1998; 149(5): 263–270.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Liao SS, Li RC, Li H, et al. Long-term efficacy of plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine: A 15-year followup study among Chinese children. Vaccine 1999; 17(20-21): 2661–2666.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Al-Faleh FZ, Al-Jeffri M, Ramia S, et al. Seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in Saudi children 8 years after mass hepatitis B vaccination programme. J Infect 1999; 38(3): 167–170.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Shatat HZ, Kotkat AM, Imam ZI. Follow-up study of the immunogenecity and efficiency of hepatitis B vaccine in Egyptian children. J Med Res Inst 2000; 21(4): 126–136.

    Google Scholar 

  21. El-Sawy IH, Mohamed ON. Long-term immunogenicity and efficacy of a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine in Egyptian children. East Mediterr Health J 1999; 5(5): 922–932.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. M.A. Arafa

    Present address: College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, King Khaled University, P.O. Box 641, Abha, Saudia Arabia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Epidemiology Department of High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

    A.A. Reda, M.A. Arafa, E.H. Wandan & H. Daebees

  2. Bacteriology Department of High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

    A.A. Youssry

  3. Health Insurance Organization, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

    M. Ab de Ati

Authors
  1. A.A. Reda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M.A. Arafa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A.A. Youssry
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. E.H. Wandan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. M. Ab de Ati
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. H. Daebees
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Reda, A., Arafa, M., Youssry, A. et al. Epidemiologic evaluation of the immunity against hepatitis B in Alexandria, Egypt. Eur J Epidemiol 18, 1007–1011 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025805817101

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025805817101

Search

Navigation