Regular Screening Of Anti-Hbs Antibody Titre And The Need For Boosters Among Health Care Workers In A Tertiary Care Hospital In Patna

BACKGROUNDHealth care workers because of their contact with patients and with potentially infectious materials have risk of exposure to infectious diseases, some of which are preventable by vaccination. The goal of immunisation for appropriate intervention in the health workforce is critical to prevent and control infections. Antibodies-HBs indicate presence of immunological memory. Their persistent negativity indicates the need to complete the vaccination series with two additional doses followed by a new serological testing after one month.The objective of this study is to evaluate anti-HBs antibody titre among vaccinated health care workers and to determine awareness level of antibody titre among HCW at IGIMS, Patna.MATERIALS AND METHODSA prospective study was carried out. A total of 92 nursing staffs, laboratory technicians, paramedical staffs, doctors and students were tested to evaluate their immunity toward hepatitis B. The anti-HBs antibody levels were detected using the anti-HBs ELISA test (enzyme immunoassay diagnostic kit for in vitro qualitative detection of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen in human serum or plasma). Inadequate immune response to HBV vaccination was considered if quantitative anti-HBs level was <10.0 mIU/mL according to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC).RESULTSOf the 92 vaccinated health care workers, anti-HBs antibody titre was noted and only 47 (51.08%) had protective titre.CONCLUSIONOur study represents one of the first experience in IGIMS regarding the level of anti-HBs antibody titre in health care workers. The low titre emphasises the need for monitoring vaccination status among health care workers.