PreS1 epitope recognition in newborns after vaccination with the third-generation Sci-B-Vac vaccine and their relation to the antibody response to hepatitis B surface antigen.

Background: Sci-B-Vac is a recombinant, hepatitis B vaccine derived from a mammalian cell line and containing hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) as well as preS1 and preS2 antigens. Few studies have been performed on the antibody responses to preS1 in relation to the antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) response during immunisation of healthy children with preS-containing vaccines.

Results: In this study 28 healthy newborns were randomly selected to receive either 2.