SEROLOGICAL IMMUNE STATUS OF HEPATITIS-B IN VACCINATED HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

This study was planned to assess the Hepatitis-B serological immune response in previously vaccinated students and staff members of various faculties of Lahore Medical , Dental College, Lahore. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination in prevention of hepatitis infection, chronic liver disease and recommendation of booster dose after primary course of vaccination. The study group comprised of 276 volunteers including MBBS/BDS stu- dents and 16 staff members of different faculties. Age range among students was 17-25 years whereas staff members were 30-50 years in age. Among 276 volunteers 46% were males and 54% were females. The levels of hepatitis B surface antibodies were assessed in blood / serum by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) technique. Among 276 volunteers 230 (§2%) had detectable antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen (aHBs) while 46 (18%) showed no detectable level of antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen (aHBs) in their serum. The titer of antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen (aHBs) was low among staff members who were in age group of 30-50 years (n4, 0.25%).A decline in titer was observed during adoles- cence.