lipid-a and Fatigue

Although more than 95% of the vaccinated population responds to the currently licensed vaccines against hepatitis B, some groups were found to be low responders. Lipid A as adjuvant, through its ability to activate macrophages, might improve humoral as well as cellular immune response. Therefore we evaluated the profile of a hepatitis B vaccine with the new adjuvant system SBAS4. 150 young adults were enrolled and randomized into three groups: one received the SBAS4 hepatitis B vaccine, the second Engerix-B(TM) and the third a hepatitis B vaccine with an alternative formulation on alum. Vaccinations were at 0 and 6 months. The vaccine was well tolerated. At month 7 all vaccinees were protected but with significant differences in GMTs between groups: 13,271 mIU/ml for the SBAS4 group versus 1203 and 1823 mIU/ml. Hence the hepatitis B vaccine with the new adjuvant system is more immunogenic compared to the other vaccines containing the same antigen and could be suitable for a two dose schedule.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Adolescent; Adult; Alum Compounds; Double-Blind Method; Edema; Fatigue; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Headache; Hepatitis B Antibodies; Hepatitis B Vaccines; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Immunization, Secondary; Lipid A; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Pain; Safety; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Vaccines, Synthetic