Immune and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection status among children receiving hepatitis B immunization in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Abstract

Infection with hepatitis B is a major public health problem in Burkina Faso. The infection is transmitted through blood and sexual intercourse, as well as from mother to child during childbirth and breastfeeding. Prevention mainly involves sanitation measures and, most importantly, vaccination. This was a cross-sectional study of 200 children aged 6 to 18 months in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, who received three doses of a quintuple vaccine (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b Conjugate Vaccine Adsorbed). Post-vaccination blood samples were tested for immunity to hepatitis B (anti-HBs) and hepatitis B infection markers. Demographic data were collected using a questionnaire. The mean age of children was 9.8 ± 2.7 months, with a slight predominance of males (55%). 93.3% of children had detectable anti-HBs (≥ 5 IU/L) in serum, and 90% had levels considered protective (≥ 10 IU/L). HBsAg was found in 0.5% of children and anti-HBe and anti-HBc antibodies were found in 2.0% and 1.0% respectively. None of the children were HBeAg-positive. While the response to immunization was satisfactory, detection of HBsAg in one child does indicate that there are further opportunities to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus in Burkina Faso, such as vaccination at birth.

Keywords

HBV immunization - HBs antibody - immune and HBV infection status