Title
Persistence of hepatitis B surface antibody to hepatitis B vaccine among medical college students in Najran University, Saudi Arabia
Authors
Ahmad A. Alshehri1, Saleh A. Alshamrani1, Osman A. Elnoubi1, Abdullah J. Alshahrani2, Ahmad M. Saif1, Mohammed H. Nahari1, Nahid K. Elfaki3, Mohammed A. Alshahrani1, Saeed M. Alfateh1 & Mutaib M. Mashraqi1,*
Affiliation
1Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Public Health, General Directorate of Health Affairs in Asir Region, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Community Health Nursing, College of Nursing, Najran University, P.O. Box 1988, Najran, Saudi Arabia;*Corresponding author
Mutaib M. Mashraqi - E-mail: dr.mashraqui@gmail.com
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received June 2, 2022; Revised July 31, 2022; Accepted July 31, 2022, Published July 31, 2022
Abstract
Around 257 to 291 million people worldwide are infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Immunization is one of the most effective ways to combat HBV infection. Saudi Arabia implemented a mandatory hepatitis B immunization program in 1989. This project investigated the levels of hepatitis B surface antibodies (anti-HBs) among medical students in the college of applied medical science at Najran University in December 2020. Students (n=82) were tested for anti-HBs levels using a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). Anti-HBs levels were the main outcome measures. Results showed that about 81.7% of participants had an insufficient amount of Anti-HBs levels (<10 IU/ L) compared to 18.3 % of participants who had protective levels of anti-HBs (≥10 IU/ L). However, 78.5% of the reactive group was at risk of losing immunity with a level between 12 and 42 IU/ L. Our study also showed an association between the age and the level of anti-HBs. Moreover, male students were at more risk than female students. Our results showed a strong relationship between Blood Groups and Anti-HBs antibody levels. The O+ (with 38.8%) and A+ (with 25.4%) blood groups showed the highest percentage amongst participants who had inadequate protection of anti-HBs (<10 IU/ L). Thus, data helps in our understanding and observations on anti-HBV immunity in individuals twenty years after being vaccinated as a child. According to the findings of our study, a large majority of students had a non-protective anti-HBs titer.
Keywords
Hepatitis B virus, ABO/Rh blood groups, Chemiluminescence assay
Citation
Alshehri et al. Bioinformation 18(7): 617-621 (2022)
Edited by
P Kangueane
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
