Hepatitis B seroprevalence in children and women and the impact of the hepatitis B vaccination program in the Black Sea Region of Turkey

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in children and females in the middle Black Sea Region of Turkey and to assess the impact of the universal infant hepatitis B vaccination program started in 1998. Methodology: The laboratory records of 12,057 patients who attended the Samsun Maternity and Children's Hospital between January 2007 and November 2009 were evaluated retrospectively. In this period, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), the antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), was studied from serum samples using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method. Results: In the total population, HBsAg seropositivity was found to be 3.8% (456/12010); anti-HBs was 32.6% (3526/10800). HBsAg was 3.5%, in the 0-14 year age group, 8.2% in the 15-18 group, 3.3% in the 19-49 group, and 8.0% in the over 49 group. The seropositivity of HBsAg decreased by half in patients between zero and 14 years of age (4.2%) who were included in the universal vaccination program when compared with those in the 15-18 year group (8.2%) who were not included in the program. There was a significant difference in HBsAg seropositivity between boys (5.8%) and girls (3.9%) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: According to the hepatitis B seroprevalence records of our region, HBsAg was 3.5% in the 0-14 year age group, 8.2% in the 15-18 year group. It may therefore be suggested that, since 1998, the vaccination program in our region has been successful.

Contribution of sex‑based immunological differences to the enhanced immune response in female mice following vaccination with hepatitis�B vaccine

“…infection with HBV, an acute and chronic communicable disease, has developed into a major global health problem (7,8,25). at present, vaccination is regarded as the most effective prevention measure against HBV infection; however, ~5-10% of healthy immunocompetent subjects are non-responsive (26).…”

“…at present, vaccination is regarded as the most effective prevention measure against HBV infection; however, ~5-10% of healthy immunocompetent subjects are non-responsive (26). Previous studies demonstrated that the male gender was associated with increased incidence of non-response to HBV vaccination (19,25,27), whereas others indicated that there was no sex-based difference in the immune response to the HBV vaccine between males and females (28,29). To clarify the biological influences of sex on the immune response to the HBV vaccine, the present study aimed to investigate the sexual dimorphism in the immune response to HBV vaccination in mice.…”

Prevalence of HBsAg Amongst Healthy Children in Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The remaining 20 studies assessed 31,770 children for HBsAg prevalence in the E and M countries and were considered in the meta-analysis. Of these, 3 studies were conducted in Iran (13,44,45), 5 studies in Pakistan (11,(46)(47)(48)(49), 4 studies in Turkey (10,(50)(51)(52), and 2 in Yemen (53,54). Single studies were performed in the following nations: Afghanistan (55), Cyprus (12), Egypt (56), Iraq (57), Lebanon (58), and Palestine (8).…”

Change in Rates of HBsAg and Anti-HBs in Şırnak 20 Years After Introduction of Hepatitis B Vaccine into Routine Infant Immunization Program

“…Three studies published between 2013-2022 have shown HBsAg positivity rates of 3.5%, 1.1%, and 0.3% among people born in 1998 and after in Turkey, respectively ( 3 , 12 , 13 ). Although it has been nearly three decades since the HBV vaccine was included in the national vaccine program, the number of comprehensive studies related to seroprevalence in the population, including adults and the pediatric population, is low in our country.…”