Following-up the long-term efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine in immunization of risky occupational groups

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is very common and contagious public health problem with serious pathological consequences (i.e. chronic liver failure, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma). Since HBV is frequently reported as an occupational disease factor, exposure risk is a concerning problem especially in health-care personnel. The aim of this study is to evaluate the time-dependent change of anti-HBs titer levels in various occupational groups. In the study, 2512 cases from 12 different occupational groups with HBV exposure risk who were applied to Ankara Occupational and Environmental Diseases Hospital Occupational Diseases Clinic for medical screening between October 2012 and November 2018 were examined and assessed. Protective titer levels of anti-HBs were determined in 64.8% people in the risky occupational group. HBV seropositivity rates were found as highest in dentists (94.5%) and lowest in kitchen workers (40.1%). The protective anti-HBs titer level in healthcare workers (i.e. dentist, x-ray technician, supporter healthcare personnel) was found to be 89.4%. Those with anti-HBs titer protective level (≥ 10 mIU / ml) were defined as Group-1 (n=1631), and those with Ab level ( [Med-Science 2020; 9(2.000): 443-9]

Keywords

• hepatitis b virus (hbv)
• anti-hbs titer
• vaccination
• occupational exposure