Randomised Open Label Clinical Trial of the Immune Response to Hepatitis B Vaccination in HIV-infected Persons.

It is known that HIV-infected persons are more prone to develop chronic hepatitis B infection when they get infected with this virus. After developing chronic hepatitis B these patients are more likely to get livercirrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (Bodsworth et al.).

Hepatitis B vaccination is available and the vaccine is about 95% protective in preventing immunocompetent persons from developing chronic hepatitis B infection (Lemon). The response on this vaccin is less effective in HIV-infected persons (Carne et al.). Furthermore there is a compliance problem in the standard scheme.

In this study we compare the efficacy of two different HBV vaccination schedules in HIV-infected persons concerning immune response and compliance. A short schedule: t=0,1,3 weeks, in which there are good results concerning immune response and compliance in immunocompetent persons (Saltog et al.) and the standard schedule: t=0,1,6 months. Patients not immune at week 28 will be offered boostervaccination. This consists of double doses at t=0,1,2 months.

800 persons are needed to show non-inferiority with lower margin of 10% of the short schedule in comparison with the control group. Powercalculation is 80%. Randomization is stratified according to CD4 count(CD4 <200, 200-500, >500).

The hypothesis of the study is a better compliance and a comparable immune response in the short schedule, through which persons will be protected against hepatitis B in an early stage.