13 September 2019 : Original article
Hepatitis B Vaccination in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis Evaluated for Liver Transplantation – A Simple Intervention Ensures High Adherence
Toni Herta1ABCDE, David Petroff2C, Cornelius Engelmann1B, Adam Herber1B, Niklas Aehling1B, Uwe Scheuermann3B, Michael Bartels4B, Daniel Seehofer3B, Thomas Berg1B, Johannes Wiegand1ABCDE*DOI: 10.12659/AOT.917198
Ann Transplant 2019; 24:527-531
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is an unmet need to improve the HBV vaccination status in patients with chronic liver diseases. Primary care physicians and outpatient hepatologists often fail to vaccinate as recommended. Thus, new strategies to improve the HBV vaccination rate are required.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was performed in a cohort of patients with chronic liver diseases evaluated for liver transplantation. Vaccination status was taken from the patients’ vaccination cards. HBsAg-, anti-HBc-, and anti-HBs-negative individuals were vaccinated against HBV at hospital discharge, and subsequent outpatient completion of the standard vaccination protocol was recommended in detail in the discharge letter. At months 2 and 8, titer controls were performed, and completion of vaccination was evaluated.
RESULTS: We prospectively recruited 37 patients. At baseline, the vaccination rate against HBV was 24% (N=9/37), and 3/9 HBV vaccinated patients presented with an anti-HBs-titer >10 IU/L. Thus, N=34 were vaccinated with Engerix® or Twinrix®. We evaluated 26/34 patients at month 2 and 10/26 again at month 8. The second vaccine dose was obtained by 21/26 (80%) of the patients seen at month 2, and 9/10 (90%) seen at month 8 obtained the third vaccine dose by primary care physicians or ambulant hepatologists. Only 2 patients presented with an anti-HBs-titer >10 IU/L at month 8.
CONCLUSIONS: Initiation of HBV vaccination during hospitalization and detailed recommendations on subsequent vaccinations in the discharge letter improve previously inadequate vaccination rates in the outpatient setting. Similar measures should be implemented at earlier time points of chronic liver diseases to achieve higher immune response rates.
Keywords: End stage liver disease, Hepatitis B Antibodies, Vaccination, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis B Surface Antigens, Liver Cirrhosis, Liver Transplantation, Patient Compliance, Prospective Studies, Viral Hepatitis Vaccines
In Press
08 Mar 2024 : Original article
Association of Coronary Calcium Score on Cardiac PET During Pre-Kidney Transplant Assessment with Persisten...Ann Transplant In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AOT.943532
14 Mar 2024 : Original article
Impact of Blood Products Transfusion on Patients in the Immediate Post-Lung Transplant Period: A Cohort StudyAnn Transplant In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AOT.943652
14 Mar 2024 : Case report
Treatment of Cavernous Transformation of Portal Vein Caused by Hepatic Cystic Echinococcosis Using Ex Vivo ...Ann Transplant In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AOT.942358
15 Mar 2024 : Review article
Approaches and Challenges in the Current Management of Cytomegalovirus in Transplant Recipients: Highlighti...Ann Transplant In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AOT.941185
Most Viewed Current Articles
05 Apr 2022 : Original article
Impact of Statins on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence After Living-Donor Liver TransplantationDOI :10.12659/AOT.935604
Ann Transplant 2022; 27:e935604
12 Jan 2022 : Original article
Risk Factors for Developing BK Virus-Associated Nephropathy: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study of ...DOI :10.12659/AOT.934738
Ann Transplant 2022; 27:e934738
22 Nov 2022 : Original article
Long-Term Effects of Everolimus-Facilitated Tacrolimus Reduction in Living-Donor Liver Transplant Recipient...DOI :10.12659/AOT.937988
Ann Transplant 2022; 27:e937988
15 Mar 2022 : Case report
Combined Liver, Pancreas-Duodenum, and Kidney Transplantation for Patients with Hepatitis B Cirrhosis, Urem...DOI :10.12659/AOT.935860
Ann Transplant 2022; 27:e935860