Impact of Haemoglobin Genotype on Hepatitis B vaccine Response in Vaccinated Individuals in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus infection is one of the global viral diseases of public health concerns.When it is not detected early and managed properly, it may progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Vaccine against hepatitis B is considered as the primary means of its prevention since its discovery. The vaccine has since been incorporated into the routine infant National Expanded Program on Immunization as recommended by the World Health Organization. However, reports on the vaccine failure ranging from sub-optimal response, non-responsiveness, and and vaccine breakthrough infection threatened the vaccine efficacy globally. This study sought to assess the impact of the human Haemoglobin genotypes on the vaccine response in Bauchi. A cross -section of 196 vaccinated subjects of both sexes within the ages of 1 year to 60 years we're recruited. Five milliliters of venous blood was collected in an anticoagulated container. The plasma was separated and used for the detection and titration of hepatitis B surface antibodies by enzymes linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The red cell was used for determining Haemoglobin genotypes of the subjects. The results indicated that genotypes SS and AS had the highest rate of optimal response to the hepatitis B vaccine with 75%. and 61% respectively, while genotypes AC had the least vaccine response and the highest (50%) non-responders to the hepatitis B vaccine. On the genotypes prevalence, genotypes AA and AS had the highest prevalence of 141(71.9%) and 49(25%) respectively. There was no significant relationship between various Haemoglobin genotypes and hepatitis B vaccine response. However, some genotypes have more affinity to hepatitis B vaccine optimal response than others. There is a need for certain individuals to be revaccinated while others others should go for a booster dose.