A Comprehensive Review of Hepatitis B Vaccine Nonresponse and Associated Risk Factors

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant global health concern worldwide, contributing to high rates of mortality and morbidity, including chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Universal vaccination programs have significantly reduced the rate of HBV transmission; however, a subset of individuals fail to develop a protective immune response following vaccination and are termed nonresponders. A comprehensive search strategy using the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases was employed to search for relevant studies using keywords including “hepatitis B vaccine”, “vaccine nonresponse”, “immunogenicity”, “immune response to the hepatitis B vaccine”, and “associated risk factors”. Factors influencing the vaccine’s response include demographic factors, such as age and sex, with increased nonresponse rates being observed in older adults and males. Obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption are lifestyle factors that decrease the vaccine response. Medical conditions, including diabetes, chronic kidney and liver diseases, HIV, celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease, affect the vaccine response. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotypes and genetic polymorphisms linked to immune regulation are genetic factors that further influence the vaccine’s effectiveness. To reduce the global burden of hepatitis B infection, it is essential to understand these factors to improve vaccine effectiveness and develop individualized vaccination strategies.