The status of immunity against the hepatitis B virus among vaccinated hemodialysis patients: a single center report from Iran.

Patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) are very susceptible to infection with
the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Repeated contact with factors that aid in transmission of this virus, is
conceivably a reason for the high prevalence of HBV infection in patients on HD. Suppressed
immunity also probably plays a role. The present study attempts to determine the level of immunity
against the HBV among patients on HD at the Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Iran. A total of
141 patients were enrolled in the study and comprised of 76 males and 65 females. Their mean age was
45 years. Data such as the age, gender, blood transfusion(s) received and renal transplantation
background, were collected from their medical records in order to identify the risk factors. The hepatitis
B surface antibody (HBsAb) levels in the serum was measured in these patients using enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Based on the levels of HBsAb, the study subjects were classified as
non-immune (less than 10 IU/L), which included 56 patients (39.71%); moderately immune (between
10 and 100 IU/L) comprising 65 patients (46.09%) and fully immune (more than 100 IU/L) seen in 20
patients (14.18%). Our results suggest that the current status of vaccination of patients on maintenance
HD, against hepatitis B is not satisfactory. Better training should be imparted to the relevant staff
members. Also, timely kidney transplantation and avoiding blood transfusions, as far as possible,
is recommended