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Background:
Universal
vaccination remains
the most effective
way of preventing
the spread of many
infectious diseases.
Although most
adverse effects
attributed to
vaccines are mild,
rare reactions such
as autoimmunity do
occur.
Objectıves:
We aimed to evaluate
the possible role
played by hepatitis
A vaccine (HAV) in
inducing the
synthesis of
autoantibodies. The
study included 40
healthy children
vaccinated with 2
doses of HAV at a
6-month interval.
The children were
investigated for
autoantibodies
including
anti-nuclear
antibodies (ANAs),
antismooth muscle
antibodies, antinDNA,
antimicrosomal
antibodies, anti-cardiolipin
(aCL immunoglobulin
(Ig) M/IgG, anti-ds
DNA, ANA profi le,
and antineutrophil
cytoplasmic antibody
profile.
Results: One
month after the fi
rst dose, ANAs at a
titer of 1:100 and
aCL IgG at 23.7 IgM
phospholipid units
were detected in 4
children and 1
child, respectively.
Of the ANA-positive
children, 1 also had
ASMA positivity, and
another had
perinuclear and
cytoplasmic ANCA
positivity.
After the second
dose, 3 of the
children had aCL IgM.
In addition, 2
distinct children
had positive
anti-thyroid
microsomal
antibodies and ANA
after the second
dose. The presence
of these
autoantibodies
following
vaccination was
statistically
significant
(P=.002). At month
12 of the study,
only 2 children
continued to be
ANA-positive at the
same titer as after
the first vaccine
dose.
Conclusions:
Although HAV can
induce the
production of
autoantibodies, none
of the children
developed autoimmune
disorders. Longterm
follow up is
necessary to check
whether autoimmune
disorders develop in
children who still
have ANA. Genetic,
immunological,
environmental, and
hormonal factors are
also important in
the development of
vaccine-induced
autoimmunity.
Key words:
Hepatitis A vaccine.
Autoimmunity. ANA.
Anti-cardiolipin
antibody.
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