High unprotective anti-HBs antibodies level among vaccinated students in a tertiary teaching hospital in north-eastern Malaysia

Authors

  • Murnihayati Hassan Department of Pathology, Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II, 15150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
  • Zeehaida Mohamed Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
  • Nabilah Ismail Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
  • Habsah Hasan Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
  • Zakuan Zainy Deris Infection control and Epidemiology Unit, Hospital UniversitiSains Malaysia, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v3i4.111

Keywords:

seroprevalence, student, anti-HBs, HBsAg, memory persistence

Abstract

Introduction: Universal hepatitis B vaccination to all newborns have been implemented in Malaysia, since 1989, with nationwide coverage of 96.26%. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of anti-HBs and HBsAg among selected undergraduate students who presumably had completed hepatitis B vaccination during their early childhoods.

Methods: Results of hepatitis B screening were obtained retrospectively from 239 newly enrolled undergraduate students at Health Campus, UniversitiSains Malaysia, in 2018. Serum samples were previously tested for the presence of anti-HBs and HBsAg using chemiluminescence immunoassay. Epidemiological data, anti-HBs and HBsAg were analysed using a descriptive statistical method.

Results: Anti-HBs was undetected in 82.2 % (n = 194/236) of the tested students. None of these students had detectable HBsAg.

Conclusion: This study showed anti-HBs level weaned after almost two decades of vaccination. Therefore, an alternative new testing algorithm such as the administration booster dose of hepatitis B vaccination can be considered in order to ensure that the new students are protected against potential exposure to hepatitis B during their clinical practices.

International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 03 No. 04 October’19 Page : 245-248

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Published

2019-09-01

How to Cite

Hassan, M., Mohamed, Z., Ismail, N., Hasan, H., & Deris, Z. Z. (2019). High unprotective anti-HBs antibodies level among vaccinated students in a tertiary teaching hospital in north-eastern Malaysia. International Journal of Human and Health Sciences (IJHHS), 3(4), 245–248. https://doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v3i4.111

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 4 (2019)

Section

Brief Communication

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