Engerix-B Vaccine Induced Transient Hepatitis B Surface Antigenemia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

This report describes a case of positive hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) following immunization with hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine, which was administered as indicated by negative anti-HBs screen performed prior to initiation of hemodialysis (HD). Variations in HBsAg seropositivity following HepB vaccination reported in the literature has been attributed to the type of HepB vaccine administered, vaccine dose, method of immunoassay used for testing and pharmacokinetics. Clinical implications, complications and the duration of HBsAg seropositivity of this case further affirms current evidence on hepatitis B Surface (HBs) antigenemia following vaccination.