Eficacia de la inmunización contra el antígeno de superficie de la hepatitis B en estudiantes de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Autónoma de Manizales, Colombia, 1997

Abstract

Worldwide strategies orientated towards hepatitis B prevention include immunisation, especially of health-care personnel, given their constant exposure to patients' potentially infectious blood andlor body fluids. Bearing in mind that immunisation against the hepatitis B virus is not effective in 100% of cases, the present study is designed to determine the effectiveness of recombinant Engenerix SKvaccine on a sample of 56 students from the University of Manizales School of Dentistry. HBV antibody presence in immunised students' serum was detenined by immunoenzymatic assay (Abbott). Results showed that 91.07% of students presented HBV antibodies (IC 95%: 87.27 to 94.87%); 8.93% had 10 UIIL antibody level, ¡.e. immunisation had not been effective. Taking the above data into account, HBV immunisation programmes should include antibody level monitonng in orderto identify people who have noadequate response and need additional protection measures.