Detection the Persistence of Antibodies of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen among Healthy Individuals Vaccinated with Hepatitis B Virus Vaccine in Mukalla- Hadhramout/Yemen

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can lead to both short-term and long-term liver conditions, posing a significant worldwide public health concern. The HBV vaccine serves as a prime illustration of preventive measures and has proven to be effective in averting HBV transmission and related health issues. The study aimed to assess the immune response to HBV among healthy individuals in Mukalla, Hadhramout/Yemen who had been vaccinated before 15 years or more, by measuring anti-HBs levels. During January 2023, blood samples were taken from 206 healthy individuals who had received the HBV vaccine as a part of a cross-sectional and analytical study. Out of the 206 vaccinated healthy individuals with the HBV vaccine, 78(37.9%) had protective anti-HBs titers, and factors such as Rh blood factor, smoking, and the ABO blood groups were found to be significantly associated with the level of post-vaccination immunity. The samples were analyzed for ABO blood groups, HBsAg, and anti-HBs using the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunoassay technique, and an anti-HBs antibody titer of ≥10 IU/L was considered protective against HBV infection. The study found that anti-HBs levels were not significantly linked to factors such as age, gender, residence, country of vaccination, time since last dose, blood transfusion, BMI, and chronic diseases. However, the seroprevalence rate of anti-HBs decreased in individuals vaccinated in Mukalla city, Hadhramout, putting them at risk of HBV infection. Additionally, immune response was notably associated with the Rh blood factor, smoking, and ABO blood group. Therefore, booster immunization with the hepatitis B vaccine is recommended.