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AIM: To evaluate, whether humoral hepatitis-B-vaccine non-responders also fail to mount a T cell response and to compare these results to normal vaccinees. METHODS: Fourty-seven health care employees were enrolled in this study including all available non- responders (n = 13) with an anti-HBsAg titer < 10 kU/L and all available low-responders (n = 12) with an anti- HBsAg titer < 100 kU/L. Also, 12 consecutive anti-HBsAg negative pre-vaccination subjects were enrolled as well as 10 subjects (+7 from the vaccinated group) with titers > 1000 kU/L as controls. PBMC from all subjects were analyzed by IFN-γ and IL-4 ELISPOT assays for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) reactive T cells. RESULTS: Non-responders and low-responders had no or only very limited T cell responses, respectively. Indi- viduals responding to vaccination with the induction of a high anti-HBsAg titer showed a strong T cell response after the third vaccination. Surprisingly, these individuals showed response even before the first vaccination. T cell response to control antigens and mitogens was similar in all groups. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that there is no gen- eral immune deficiency in non-/low-responders. Thus, we hypothesize that the induction of anti-HBsAg re- sponses by vaccination is significantly dependent on the pre-existing T cell repertoire against the specific antigen rather than the presence of a general T cell defect.
AIM: To evaluate, whether humoral hepatitis-B-vaccine non-responders also fail to mount a T cell response and to compare these results to normal vaccinees. METHODS: Fourty-seven health care employees were enrolled in this study including all available non- responders (n = 13) with an anti-HBsAg titer <10 kU / L and all available low-responders (n = 12) with an anti- HBsAg titer <100 kU / vaccination subjects were enrolled as well as 10 subjects (+7 from the vaccinated group) with titers> 1000 kU / L as controls. PBMC from all subjects were analyzed by IFN-γ and IL-4 ELISPOT assays for the presence of hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) reactive T cells. RESULTS: Non-responders and low-responders had no or only very limited T cell responses, respectively. Indi- viduals responding to vaccination with the induction of a high anti-HBsAg titer showed a strong T cell response after the third vaccination. Surprisingly, these individuals showed res CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that there is no gen- eral immune deficiency in non- / low-responders. Thus, we hypothesize that the induction of anti-HBsAg re- sponses by vaccination is significantly dependent on the pre-existing T cell repertoire against the specific antigen rather than the presence of a general T cell defect.