Antibody-response to three recombinant hepatitis B vaccines: comparative evaluation of multicenter travel-clinic based experience

The immunogenicity of three currently used hepatitis B vaccines was compared in an unselected study population in an every day travel clinical setting. Five hundred and eighteen vaccinees received Engerix(TM)-B (EB), 990 received Twinrix(TM) (TWX), and 366 were immunised with Gen-HB-Vax(TM) (GHB). Overall, 88.6% of the vaccinees, tested within the first 6 months after completion of the vaccination series, developed protective levels of anti-HBs ( greater than or equal to 10 mIU/ml). However, GHB recipients showed significantly lower seroprotection rates (SPR) than EB and TWX recipients (79.3%, vs. 87.7% vs. 92.3%. P < 0.000001). GMTs for anti-HBs, tested within 6 months after the third vaccination, showed the lowest results in the GHB group, followed by EB and TWX (142 vs. 523 vs. 1008 mIU/ml, P < 0.000001). TWX vaccinees. however, showing a higher antibody decline rate than EB recipients within the first years after completion of the full immunisation course (30% vs. 25%; P = 0.0538). This study confirms an overall good immune response to the 20 mug-dose vaccine, in the course of a regular clinical setting. The significant difference in SPRs and GMTs to the 10 Gig-dose vaccine, however, may influence future immunisation practices for the elderly. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.