Assessment of HBV breakthrough infection and anti-HBS antibody development among vaccinated individuals attending specialist hospital Sokoto

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination is a critical public health intervention aimed at preventing HBV infection. However, breakthrough infections can occur among vaccinated individuals, raising concerns about the longevity and efficacy of vaccine-induced immunity. This study aims to assess the incidence of HBV breakthrough infections and the development of anti-HBs antibodies among vaccinated individuals attending a specialist hospital in Sokoto.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving 77 participants who received the complete HBV vaccination series. Blood samples were collected and analyzed using HBV profile test kits to analyses the different antibodies and antigen of hepatitis B in the blood of the participants. Participants' demographic data, vaccination history, and potential factors influencing immune response, such as age, sex, and underlying health conditions, were also collected.
Result: None of the participants had acute hepatitis B infection, but 6 (7.79%) were found to have chronic hepatitis B infection. Additionally, 6 (7.79%) had low viral replication, and 40 (51.95%) showed no evidence of immunity. Comparing the vaccination status
based on sociodemographic factors, participants within the age bracket of 25-34 years had the highest vaccine protective immunity (51.7%), although no statistically significant difference was observed among different age groups P=1.012. In terms of gender, females
(65.5%) had a higher vaccine protective immunity than males (34.5%), but not statistically significant. Furthermore, individuals with less than 5 years of vaccination history displayed higher protective vaccine immunity compared to those above 5 years but less than 10 years since vaccination. However, no statistically significant difference was observed with P value=1.001.
Conclusion: The study found that many individuals remain unprotected after vaccination, emphasizing the need to strengthen immunization programs. It also highlights the importance of monitoring post-vaccination immune status to identify those needing booster doses for long-term protection against HBV infection.