Kulsoom Fatima Rizvi, Mamoora Arslaan, Hira Raza, Anum Hira, Saira Hamid, Affaf Fatima.
Assessing sero-protective levels of anti-hbs titer in pre-vaccinated dental students and dental professionals at Bahria university medical & dental college (BUMDC), Karachi.
Pak Oral Dental J Jan ;37(3):472-6.
Dentists are always at a high risk of exposure to Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Therefore assessing their immunity is of utmost concern. Sero-conversion rates reported after Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination globally range from 85–90%. Triple-course vaccine might sometimes fail to raise antibody titers. Our study aims to determine the percentage of dental students and professionals who have received recombinant HBV vaccine, the percentage of those vaccinated individuals who possess Anti-HBs titer within the required protective range and the attitude of vaccinated dental students and professionals towards confirming their post-vaccination antibody titer. The status of vaccination and attitude towards checking post-vaccination antibody titer were assessed through self-administered questionnaires. Blood tests were drawn for checking Anti-HBs titer of 101 vaccinated subjects including dental students, practicing dentists/ faculty and paramedics. Sero-protective range ≥ 10mIU/ml was termed reactive .Association of immune response with gender and year of study/profession were assessed. Out of 158 participants, 112 (70.9%) had completed vaccination course. Post-vaccination antibody titer was checked by 29 (25.8%) out of 112 participants.72 (71.3%) out of 101 (who agreed to check their anti-HBs titer) vaccinated participants had reactive anti-HBs titer i.e >10mIU/ml , whereas 29 (28.7% ) had non-reactive anti-HBs titer after receiving routine HBV vaccination. 18(58.1%) out of 31 males and 54 (77.1%) out 70 females showed reactive titer. p value was found significant (p = 0.032) Considerable rate of failure in maintaining acceptable titer levels following routine vaccination against HBV was found. Therefore, determining Anti-HBs titer after vaccination is recommended. The antibody titer of dental students and professionals should be checked after vaccination. It is of prime importance for all dental schools, medical and dental staff to conduct talks and create awareness about hepatitis B infection.
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