DNA vaccines induce protective humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in several animal models. However, compared to conventional vaccines, DNA vaccines usually induce poor antibody responses. In this study, we report that coadministration of a hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA vaccine with prothymosin alpha as an adjuvant improves antibody responses to HBV S antigen. We also observed higher sero...

New information has prompted revision of the conceptual framework for considering the epidemiology and virology of viral hepatitis. The means are now at hand to identify infections due to either Hepatitis A or B, as well as to implicate other etiologic agents in hepatitis. Immunologic evidence of variation in the antigens associated with Hepatitis B, and possibly in Hepatitis A, may explain som...

OBJECTIVES This analysis examined the incidence rate of chronic arthritis adverse reactions reported following adult rubella and hepatitis B vaccinations. In this analysis, etiologic mechanisms for chronic arthritis following adult rubella and hepatitis B vaccines were also explored. METHODS The Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) database was analyzed for the incidence rate of re...

DNA vaccines induce protective humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in several animal models. However, compared to conventional vaccines, DNA vaccines usually induce poor antibody responses. In this study, we report that coadministration of a hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA vaccine with prothymosin as an adjuvant improves antibody responses to HBV S antigen. We also observed higher seroconver...

BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus infection remains an important global health concern despite the availability of safe and effective prophylactic vaccines. Limitations to these vaccines include requirement for refrigeration and three immunizations thereby restricting use in the developing world. A new nasal hepatitis B vaccine composed of recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in a novel n...

VACCINATIONS Patients with IBD are often treated with long-term immunosuppressive therapies and may thus be at increased risk for infections, many of which are preventable with vaccinations (1). All adult patients with IBD, regardless of immunosuppression status, should receive non-live vaccines, including trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine, pneumococcal vaccination (PCV13 and PPSV23), hep...

Good personal hygiene is one of the most important measures for control of hepatitis infection. Hepatitis is transmitted by close contact with an infected person or nonhuman primate, exposure to infected food or water, transfusion of infected blood, dialysis, or contact with hepatitis-containing laboratory specimens. Each of these situations necessitates certain precautions to avoid contaminati...

AIM To investigate the immunogenicity and safety of existing recommendations for hepatitis B vaccination in preterm infants. METHODS Recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (H-B-VAX II, 5 micrograms per dose) was given to 85 preterm infants divided into two groups, using two different schedules. Forty four group A infants with birthweights of < 2000 g received three doses at 1, 2, and 7 months of age...

We evaluated the immunogenicity of three recombinant hepatitis B vaccines, one Brazilian (Butang, Instituto Butantan) and two Korean vaccines (Euvax-B, LG Chemical Ltd. and Hepavax-Gene, Greencross Vaccine Corp.), administered intramuscularly to students aged 17 to 19 years in three 10- micro g doses (corresponding to half the amount of antigen routinely used for adult vaccination) at intervals...

Aim—To investigate the immunogenicity and safety of existing recommendations for hepatitis B vaccination in preterm infants. Methods—Recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (H-B-VAX II, 5 μg per dose) was given to 85 preterm infants divided into two groups, using two diVerent schedules. Forty four group A infants with birthweights of < 2000 g received three doses at 1, 2, and 7 months of age. Forty one...