pediatrics
Contributions
Type: Publication Only
Background
Children with cancer are at risk of severe infections especially who have not completed their primary immunizations. Immune competence decreases not only due to chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, but also due to the reduction of serum antibody titers gained from previous immunizations. Hepatitis B infection in cancer patients occurs as a result of recurrent blood transfusions and also due to suppressed immune system. The national immunization program plays an important role in decreasing subsequent hepatitis B infection in children with cancer, however, the efficacy of the immunization strategies employed is questionable.
Aims
We aimed at evaluating the acquired immunity from the routine hepatitis B vaccination in cancer patients after recovery of their immune system.
Methods
case control study was conducted on 22 patients with cancer(13 males,9 females, mean age 7.2±3.14 years) who were registered in and followed up at pediatric oncology unit of Zagazig university hospital and who completed their standard chemotherapy at least 6 months prior to the study. Twenty two age and sex matched healthy children were enrolled as a control group. Data abstraction form was designed to capture the appropriate information from the individual medical records including full clinical, transfusion and laboratory data.. HBsAb and HBcAb concentrations were determined in the patients and healthy subjects serum by ELISA. HBs AB titer > 10 mIU/ml was considered as baseline protective titer for preventing HBV infection.
Results
The frequency of non immune subjects in children with cancer was significantly higher than those in healthy children (P-value=0.001),where anti-HBs antibody titer was more than 10 mIU/ml in 54.5% of patients and less than 10 mIU/ml in 45.5% of patients. While in healthy controls, 90.9% had antibody titer more than10 mIU/ml and 9.1% had antibody titer less than 10mIU/ml. No significant relation was found between loss of immunity against HBV and age of patient, type of cancer and duration of chemotherapy.
Summary
Children with cancer who received chemotherapy are at increased risk for HBV infection. HBV revaccination should be considered at least six month post-intensive chemotherapy.larger studies still needed to confirm our finding.
Keyword(s): Cancer, Hepatitis B virus, Immunity, Vaccination
Type: Publication Only
Background
Children with cancer are at risk of severe infections especially who have not completed their primary immunizations. Immune competence decreases not only due to chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, but also due to the reduction of serum antibody titers gained from previous immunizations. Hepatitis B infection in cancer patients occurs as a result of recurrent blood transfusions and also due to suppressed immune system. The national immunization program plays an important role in decreasing subsequent hepatitis B infection in children with cancer, however, the efficacy of the immunization strategies employed is questionable.
Aims
We aimed at evaluating the acquired immunity from the routine hepatitis B vaccination in cancer patients after recovery of their immune system.
Methods
case control study was conducted on 22 patients with cancer(13 males,9 females, mean age 7.2±3.14 years) who were registered in and followed up at pediatric oncology unit of Zagazig university hospital and who completed their standard chemotherapy at least 6 months prior to the study. Twenty two age and sex matched healthy children were enrolled as a control group. Data abstraction form was designed to capture the appropriate information from the individual medical records including full clinical, transfusion and laboratory data.. HBsAb and HBcAb concentrations were determined in the patients and healthy subjects serum by ELISA. HBs AB titer > 10 mIU/ml was considered as baseline protective titer for preventing HBV infection.
Results
The frequency of non immune subjects in children with cancer was significantly higher than those in healthy children (P-value=0.001),where anti-HBs antibody titer was more than 10 mIU/ml in 54.5% of patients and less than 10 mIU/ml in 45.5% of patients. While in healthy controls, 90.9% had antibody titer more than10 mIU/ml and 9.1% had antibody titer less than 10mIU/ml. No significant relation was found between loss of immunity against HBV and age of patient, type of cancer and duration of chemotherapy.
Summary
Children with cancer who received chemotherapy are at increased risk for HBV infection. HBV revaccination should be considered at least six month post-intensive chemotherapy.larger studies still needed to confirm our finding.
Keyword(s): Cancer, Hepatitis B virus, Immunity, Vaccination