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Background: To evaluate the immunological situation against hepatitis B virus (HBV) of a cohort of dentistry
students, to analyze the behavior of the levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) after the administration of
one or three vaccine doses, and to determine the influence of age and sex on the immune response.
Material and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included students attending the School of Dentistry of the
institution where the study was performed from 2005 to 2012 who had completed the public health vaccination
calendar for HBV at the age of 12-13. Data on age, sex, basal anti-HBs levels, post-vaccination anti-HBs results and
final anti-HBs levels were collected. Comparisons of the basal and final levels, as well as associations regarding
age and sex, were performed by means of the Student t and Chi-square tests.
Results: Of the 359 students, 97 (27.02%) had basal antibody concentrations <10 mIU/ml, whereas in 262 the levels
of anti-HBs were ≥10 mIU/ml (72.98%). Of the 288 participating students who completed the School ́s protocol for
immunization, 287 (99.65%) attained a level of protection ≥10 mIU/ml. Globally, there were statistically significant
differences between the basal antibody levels and those achieved after administration of the vaccine and booster,
but no association with age or sex was observed.
Conclusions: About 70% of dental students vaccinated as preadolescents had serologic evidence of protection
against HBV. Administering a booster is associated with the presence of an excellent immune memory. There is
clearly a need to reinforce control of the antibody levels in groups at risk, such as Dentistry students
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