Systematic review and meta-analysis of immune response of double dose of hepatitis B vaccination in HIV-infected patients

The prevalence of co-infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is high and increases risk of hepatitis B chronicity and mortality. Despite guidelines for HIV-infected patients to be immunized against HBV, the immunogenicity of the HBV vaccination in HIV-infected patients is lower than that in the HIV-seronegative population. In this study, we performed a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials to investigate the response rate to an increased dose of HBV vaccination in HIV-infected patients. A fixed-effects model, with heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses, was used. We identified nine studies involving 970 HIV-positive vaccine recipients. The study results were divided into two groups, depending on the time when antibody against hepatitis surface antigen was measured. Results showed a significant increase in response rates among patients who received a double dose of the vaccine versus the standard dose in both subgroups; the pooled odds ratio (OR) was 1.76 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.36–2.29) and 2.28 (95% CI: 1.73–3.01) for the rate that was measured 4–6 weeks and >12 months after completion of vaccination, respectively. The total OR was 1.99 (95% CI: 1.64–2.41). No heterogeneity was found. Our meta-analysis shows that a double dose of the HBV vaccine may significantly improve the immune response in HIV-infected patients. Higher immunogenicity was observed, when it was measured 4–6 weeks and >12 months after completion of the vaccination.