Effect of probiotic supplementation in the first 6 months of life on specific antibody responses to infant Hepatitis B vaccination

Shu ESoha Dave Qi Rong Onga Irvin Gereza Xiaoe Zhangb Pavithra Chollateb Lynette Pei-Chi Sheka Bee Wah Leea Marion Awa

Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health

System, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074, Singapore

Singapore Clinical Research Institute Pte Ltd., Singapore

Probiotics have been shown to enhance specific immune responses to vaccines. We aim to assess the effect of probiotic supplementation on specific IgG antibody responses to Hepatitis B (HepB) vaccination in infants. Compared to controls, probiotic supplementation improved HepB surface antibody responses in subjects receiving monovalent doses of HepB vaccine at 0, 1 month and a DTPa–HepB combination vaccine at 6 months [placebo (n=28): 187.97 (180.70–195.24), probiotic (n = 29): 345.70 (339.41–351.99) mIU/ml] (p = 0.069), but not those who received 3 monovalent doses [placebo (n = 68): 302.34 (296.31–308.37), probiotic (n = 77): 302.06 (296.31–307.81) mIU/ml] (p = 0.996). Probiotics may enhance specific antibody responses in infants receiving certain Hepatitis B vaccine schedules.

Keywords

Probiotics Hepatitis B V accination