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ACTA
STOMATOLOGICA

NAISSI

Table of Contents for
Jun 2013 • Volume 29 • Number 67

ANTIBODY LEVEL AND IMMUNITY AGAINST HEPATITIS B VIRUS
INFECTION AMONG GENERAL DENTAL PRACTITIONERS

  1Stefano Petti,
1Giuseppe A. Messano,
2Crispian Scully

1 SAPIENZA UNIVERSITY, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES, ROME, ITALY;
2 2UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON, LONDON, UK

doi: 10.5937/asn1367273P
     
...Abstract


Introduction. Immunization against Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is crucial for an effective control in dental healthcare settings. Nevertheless, vaccination rates among general dental practitioners (GDPs) from developed countries range between roughly 50%, as in Italy and Japan, and >90% as in US and UK. Furthermore, vaccination does not necessarily imply immunity, as serum anti-HBs antigen (Ag) level tends to decrease and booster doses are periodically required.
Aim. To investigate HBV vaccination and immunity rates among Italian GDPs.
Material and methods. 195 GDPs voluntarily participated. They provided information regarding HBV vaccination in the last 10 years and underwent blood samples to detect serum anti-HBs Ag level. Immune subjects were considered subjects with anti-HBs Ag =10 mIU/mL. Vaccination and immunity rates were assessed with 95% confidence intervals (95CIs). Sensitivity (proportion of immune GDPs among vaccinated GDPs), Specificity (proportion non-immune GDPs among non-vaccinated GDPs) also were assessed.
Results. 88% GDPs were vaccinated (95CI, 83-92%), but only 83% were immune (95CI, 77-88%). Sensitivity was 95.6%, suggesting that among immune GDPs, 4.4% were not recently vaccinated. Specificity was 50%, suggesting that among nonimmune GDPs, 50% were recently vaccinated.
Conclusion.Vaccination rate among Italian GDPs was high. Nevertheless, a fraction of 5% of them was vaccinated but was not immune, thus suggesting that serum antibody level should be periodically checked because susceptible GDPs are at risk for HBV infection.

Key words: HBV, Hepatitis B, Vaccine, Immunity, Dentistry
 

...Authors and Reprint Information

Address of correspondence:
Prof. Stefano Petti
Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases
Sanarelli Building, Sapienza University
P.le Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy

Phone: +3906 4991 4667
E-mail: stefano.petti@uniroma1.it

Copyright © 2013 by The Editorial Council of The Acta Stomatologica Naissi