Post-exposure hepatitis B vaccination of sexual partners of acute viral hepatitis patients

Sexual transmission of HBV was studied in a sample of 350 sporadic acute viral hepatitis type B adult patients hospitalised in the Infectious Diseases Hospital of Athens, Greece. Spouses with acute viral hepatitis type B (six in number) or asymptomatic HBsAg carriership (80 in number) were considered as the most likely sources of infection in 86 (24·6, per cent) of the 350 patients. Only 164 (46·8 per cent) spouses were susceptible to HBV and 149 agreed to participate in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial of hepatitis B vaccine. The Merck Sharp and Dohme vaccine (20 μg per dose) or placebo were administered as soon as possible and repeated one and six months later. Vaccinees were interviewed, clinically examined and bled one, three, six and nine months after the first injection. HBV events (clinical hepatitis type B in seven or serological evidence of HBV infection in 15) were diagnosed in 22 vaccinees. We anticipate completing the required sample to establish the possible protective efficacy of the hepatitis B vaccine by the end of November 1982. Final results of the trial will be available early next year.