Hepatitis B vaccination of 113 hemophiliacs: lower antibody response in anti-LAV/HTLV-III-positive patients

One hundred thirteen adults and children with hemophilia or other congenital bleeding disorders were vaccinated against the hepatitis B virus. Each patient was given 3 subcutaneous injections of the vaccine at monthly intervals and then a 4th booster dose 14 months after the first. The vaccine was highly immunogenic, since 111 of 113 patients (98%) produced anti-HBs (10 mIU/ml or more). After the first 3 vaccine doses and after the booster dose, 10 anti-LAV/HTLV-III-positive hemophiliacs produced anti-HBs but had a lower average titer than anti-LAV/HTLV-III-negative hemophiliacs. Of the 23 patients treated with concentrates in the 15-month postvaccination period only, none acquired HBV infection. Of the 50 patients treated with concentrates also in the 6-month prevaccination period, one developed hepatitis B. In summary, the vaccine was highly immunogenic in both children and adults with hemophilia; anti-LAV/HTLV-III-positive patients responded to the vaccine, but the average anti-HBs response was lower; no case of hepatitis B occurred in patients treated with concentrates only in the postvaccination period.