Serologic status and vaccine response against hepatitis B virus after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in pediatric patients

Background: Although vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) is recommended for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients, previous studies evaluating serologic status and immunologic response to HBV vaccination in pediatric allogeneic HCT recipients are not enough. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate serologic status against HBV and immunologic responses to HBV vaccination in children and adolescents receiving allogeneic HCTs. Methods: Medical records of the enrolled 61 pediatric patients < 19 years of age who received their first allogeneic HCTs were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Twenty-two (36.1%) of the enrolled patients were positive for hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) after HCT. Chronic graft-versus-host disease was significantly associated with negative HBsAb status after HCT (p = 0.01). With one dose of HBV vaccination after HCT, 40.5% of the vaccinated patients became positive for HBsAb. No clinical factor was associated with the positive conversion of HBsAb after vaccination. Conclusions: Considering the unsatisfactory seropositive rate and vaccine response against HBV and the lack of significant clinical and laboratory factors predicting serostatus in HCT recipients, universal three doses of HBV vaccination should be necessary after allogeneic HCT.