A COMPARATIVE TRIAL OF STANDARD OR HIGH-DOSE S SUBUNIT RECOMBINANT HEPATITIS-B VACCINE VERSUS A VACCINE CONTAINING S SUBUNIT, PRE-S-1, AND PRE-S-2 PARTICLES FOR REVACCINATION OF HEALTHY ADULT NONRESPONDERS

The efficacy of 10-mu g and 40-mu g hepatitis B vaccines was compared with that of an investigational vaccine containing pre-S-1, pre-S-2, a nd S subunit particles (mixed particle vaccine) in inducing protective anti-hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) concentrations in 46 othe rwise healthy persons who previously did not develop measurable levels of antibodies to at least one complete course of vaccine. A statistic ally significant difference was seen in the percentage of subjects who developed protective levels of anti-HBs (greater than or equal to 10 mIU/mL) with three 40-mu g doses of S subunit vaccine versus the other groups. One hundred percent of the 40-mu g dose group developed prote ctive anti-HBs titers. No difference in adverse effects was noted.