Study of Hepatitis B Vaccine and Autoimmune Responses
Author Information
Author(s): DIMITRIOS-PETROU BOGDANOS, HEATHER SMITH, YUN MA, HAROLD BAUM, GIORGINA MIELI-VERGANI, DIEGO VERGANI
Primary Institution: Institute of Liver Studies, King's College London School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Does hepatitis B vaccination induce cross-reactive immune responses with myelin antigens?
Conclusion
The study found significant cross-reactivity between hepatitis B surface antigen and myelin mimics after vaccination.
Supporting Evidence
- Reactivity to SHBsAg peptides was found in 14% of pre-vaccination subjects.
- 94% of post-vaccination subjects showed reactivity to SHBsAg peptides.
- 60% of vaccinees had SHBsAg/MOG double reactivity at least once post-vaccination.
Takeaway
The hepatitis B vaccine might cause the body to mistakenly attack its own nerves because it looks similar to a part of the nerves.
Methodology
ELISA was used to test serum samples for reactivity to hepatitis B surface antigen and myelin mimics before and after vaccination.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the exclusion of subjects with autoimmune disorders.
Limitations
The study did not include individuals with pre-existing autoimmune disorders and focused only on healthy vaccinees.
Participant Demographics
58 adults (median age 42, range 31-62, 38 male) were vaccinated and tested.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p < 0.001
Statistical Significance
p < 0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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