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News
Maternal Anti-HBVs Suppress the immune Response of Infants to Hepatitis B Vaccine
A recent study reports that high titres of maternal anti-HBV antibodies (anti-HBVs) may pass across the placenta, subsequently suppressing the immune response of infants to the standard HBV vaccination. The HBV vaccines is usually given at 0, 1 and 6 months.
The hepatitis B vaccination is the most effective way of preventing HBV infection and effectively reduces the transmission of HBV from mother to child. Since the introduction of the universal infant HBV vaccination, HBV infection has dropped significantly.
The recent study examined whether maternal anti-HBVs interfere with the immune response of infants to the HBV vaccine. To determine whether transplacental transfer of maternal anti-HBVs occurs, the research team measured the anti-HBV titres of mothers with positive anti-HBV and their infants.
Despite the suppression of the immune response, many infants were able to overcome the suppression effects through the administration of catch-up vaccinations. Therefore, modification to the current HBV vaccination schedule may enhance anti-HBV response in infants with anti-HBV-positive mothers.
References
- Chen X, Gui X, Zhang L, et al. Maternal anti-HBVs suppress the immune response of infants to hepatitis B vaccine. J Viral Hepat 2016; 23(12): 955-960.
