Efficient haemodialysis improves the response to hepatitis B virus vaccination

Background: As patients on chronic haemodialysis (PCHD) elicit a weaker response to vaccination with recombinant hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), we conducted this study to see how dialysis efficacy affects response to hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination. Methods: Study subjects consisted of 30 PCHD. All subjects were vaccinated with 4 x 40 mug HBsAg i.m. at 0, 1, 2, and 6 months. If a subject had an HBsAg antibody (HBsAb) level <10 IU/l after vaccination, he or she received a booster dose. Subjects were divided into groups according to the level of HBsAb: non-responders (< 10 IU/l), weak responders (10-100 IU/l), and good responders (>100 IU/l). Results: The group of responders had a significantly more efficient dialysis (Kt/V) than the group of non-responders (p = 0.027). This difference was not observed between groups of non-responders and weak responders. The group of good responders had a significantly better Kt/V than the group of non-responders (p = 0.012). Good responders had a significantly better Kt/V than weak responders (p = 0.019). Kt/V values showed a significantly positive correlation with the HBsAb level (r = 0.47; p = 0.006). Conclusions: The HBV vaccination reaction was weaker in PCHD with inefficient dialysis. Efficient haemodialysis significantly improves the response to vaccination with recombinant HBsAg. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel.