Hepatitis A vaccine for immunosuppressed patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective, open-label, multi-centre study

Travel Med Infect Dis. 2014 Mar-Apr;12(2):134-42. doi: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2014.01.005. Epub 2014 Jan 29.

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis A vaccine is the most frequently used travel vaccine, yet data are scarce about its ability to induce protection in patients with concurrent immunosuppressive treatment. We assessed the immunogenicity of this vaccine in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with tumour necrosis factor-inhibitors (TNFi) and/or methotrexate (MTX).

Methods: Hepatitis A vaccine was administered to non-immune RA patients at 0 and 6 months. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies were assessed at 0, 1, 6, 7, 12, and 24 months with a quantitative Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immuno Assay (CMIA) for HAV-IgG. Samples from month 1, 6, and 7 were, in addition, analysed with a microparticle EIA (MEIA) for anti-HAV IgM + IgG.

Results: The final study population consisted of 53 patients treated with TNFi (n = 15), TNFi + MTX (n = 21) or MTX (n = 17). One and six months after the first dose, 10% and 33% of the patients had attained seroprotection. One and six months after the second dose 83% and 72% were seroprotected. At month 24, 86% of the vaccinees showed protective levels.

Conclusions: Two doses of hepatitis A vaccine at a 6-month interval provided protection for most immunosuppressed RA patients. A single dose does not seem to afford sufficient protection to this group of patients.

Keywords: Hepatitis A; Immunosuppression; Rheumatoid arthritis; TNF-inhibitors; Vaccination.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Hepatitis A / immunology
  • Hepatitis A / prevention & control*
  • Hepatitis A Antibodies / blood*
  • Hepatitis A Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Hepatitis A Vaccines / adverse effects
  • Hepatitis A Vaccines / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Hepatitis A Antibodies
  • Hepatitis A Vaccines
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors
  • Methotrexate