Anti-hepatitis B antibody levels in immunized medical students: Are they at risk?

Abstract

Introduction: Medical students have an occupational risk for hepatitis B (HB). This study sought to determine anti-HBs and anti-HBc IgG levels in vaccinated students, check their seroconversion, and correlate this with vaccination. Methods: One hundred and forty-three students’ blood samples and their vaccination schedules were analyzed. Results: 65.7% were positive for anti-HBs; however, anti-HBs was absent in 34.3%. Only two samples were positive for anti-HBc IgG. Conclusions: More than 30% of students did not have minimum protective levels. Comparing HBV vaccination and anti-HBs reactivity, the majority of reactive individuals received their last dose within the past 16 years.