Negative IgG and IgE Hepatitis B Virus Antibody Status in Asthma: A Case Study

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a public health concern; introduction of the HBV vaccine has reduced rates of primary infection. However, some vaccinated subjects do not produce protective antibody (Ab) levels detectable by commercial assays, while others may lose detectable Abs after vaccination. Absence of HBV Ab responses after vaccination has been less studied in patients with asthma, who may be at increased risk of infection. In this case study we describe IgG-and IgE-HBV Ab levels in two patients: an asthmatic and a non-asthmatic control, pre and post HBV re-immunization. It is unknown how specific HBV IgE and B cell memory responses relate to protective immunity compared with IgG titer levels. We report that baseline HBV IgG Ab levels were negative in the asthma and non-asthma subjects, who were previously vaccinated with HBV vaccine. After re-immunization we observed that HBV IgG Ab levels in the asthma patient were positive, and then reverted back to negative; in non-asthma HBV IgG levels were positive, and then reverted back to negative. Baseline HBV IgE Ab levels were low in asthma, but were high in non-asthma. After re-immunization, HBV IgE Ab levels in asthma were detected then remained low. However, HBV IgE Ab levels remained high in non-asthma at each time point. Thus, (1) vaccination with HBV vaccine boosts IgG HBV responses, and to a lesser extent IgE responses and (2) vaccine induced measureable IgGand IgEHBV Ab responses are lower in asthma than non-asthma. Specific IgGand IgEHBV Ab responses are important factors for maintenance of sustained HBV Ab expression after HBV vaccination, and may contribute to regulation of immune responses. DOI: 10.29011/2576-9588. 100027