Hepatitis B Immune Globulin: Effectiveness in Prevention of Dialysis-Associated Hepatitis

A randomized, double blind, multicenter study of hepatitis prevention by immune serum globulin with high anti-HBs titer (hepatitis B immune globulin) was carried out among 318 new patients and 296 staff members of renal dialysis units. Three milliliters of high titer globulin, repeated at 4 months, was compared with equal doses of intermediate or normal titer globulin. Among staff members, the cumulative percentages developing hepatitis or HBs Ag. or both, within 8 months were 6.9, 11.7, and 11.1 in the high, intermediate, and normal titer groups respecively. The lower incidence associated with high titer globulin was not significant (P<0.05). However, among the patients the respective percentages were 7.9, 21.3, and 23.1 and the lower incidence in the high titer globulin group was significant (P<0.01).