Investigation of memory B cell responses to HBsAg...

liver411

Vaccine. 2010 Jul 31. [Epub ahead of print]

Investigation of memory B cell responses to hepatitis B surface antigen in
health care workers considered as non-responders to vaccination.

Valats JC, Tuaillon E, Funakoshi N, Hoa D, Brabet MC, Bolloré K, Ducos J,
Vendrell JP, Blanc P.

Service Médico-Chirurgical des Maladies de l'Appareil Digestif et
Transplantation Hépatique, Hôpital Saint Eloi, CHU Montpellier, France.

Abstract
Up to 20% of health care workers are considered as non-responders to hepatitis
B vaccination (anti-HBs<10mUI/ml in serum). We have explored memory B cells
differentiated in vitro into anti-HBs antibody-secreting cells (anti-HBs-SCs)
by ELISPOT assay. Anti-HBs-SCs were detected in vaccinated responders (n=11)
and non-responders (n=10) but IgG anti-HBs-SCs were significantly lower in the
non-responder group (p<0.001). Low amounts of HB antibodies were also
quantified by ELISA in non-responders' sera. These results indicate that a
suboptimal B cell response exists in non-responders to HBV vaccination. This B
cell response may mediate a protection against clinically significant
breakthrough hepatitis B infection. Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier
Ltd.

PMID: 20682363