Review: hepatitis B immune globulin for prevention of hepatitis B infection

Specific hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) contains a high titer of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigens and provides immediate passive protection against infection with hepatitis B virus, after acute exposure to infection. It is now generally combined with active immunization with hepatitis B vaccine. The principal indications for administration of HBIG are: a single acute percutaneous exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV); mucocutaneous exposure; unprotected sexual exposure; mother‐to‐infant transmission; prevention of re‐infection after liver transplantation; non‐responders to hepatitis B vaccine and immunosuppressed patients. J. Med. Virol. 79:919–921, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.