A randomized controlled study of accelerated versus standard hepatitis B vaccination in HIV-positive patients

Background. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, the immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccines is impaired. The primary and secondary aims of our study were to investigate the effectiveness and compliance of 2 different vaccination regimen in an HIV-infected population. Methods. A noninferiority trial with a 10% response margin was designed. Included were patients ≥18 years old, with negative HBsAg/anti-HBc serology, and not previously vaccinated against hepatitis B. Patients were stratified according to CD4+cell count: <200, 200-500, >500. Participants received 10 μg HBvaxPRO intramuscularly according to a 0-1-3 week schedule or the standard 0-4-24 week schedule. Anti-HBs levels were measured at week 28, considered protective ≥10 IU/L. Results. Modified intention to treat analysis in 761 patients was performed. Overall response difference was 50%(standard arm) versus 38.7% (accelerated arm) =11.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], [4.3, 18.3]), close to the 10% response margin. In CD4+cell count group 200-500 cells/mm3, the response difference was 20.8% (95% CI [10.9, 30.7]). However, the response difference in CD4+cell count group .500 cells/mm3 was -1.8% (95% CI [-13.4,19.7]). Compliance was significantly superior with the accelerated schedule, 91.8% versus 82.7% (P ≤ .001). Conclusion. In HIV-infected patients, compliance with an accelerated hepatitis B vaccination schedule is significantly better. The efficacy of an accelerated schedule proved to be non-inferior in CD4+cell count group >500 cells/mm3.

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