Investigation of the role of the gut microbiota in the response to hepatitis B vaccine

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: In this study, it is aimed to investigate the role of gut microbiota in the response to hepatitis B vaccine by performing intestinal microbiome analyzes of healthy individuals who respond and do not respond to hepatitis B vaccine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 people (March 2020 – February 2022) between the ages of 18-65 comprising of 20 healthy volunteers (Anti-HBs >100 IU/ml) who had an antibody response after vaccination and other 20 patients with (Anti-HBs <10 IU/ml) even though they are administered 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine and 3 doses of booster in accordance with the vaccination schedule (0., 1st, and 6th) are included. After the stool samples are delivered to the laboratory within 2 hours at the latest, pH measurement and Bristol scoring are performed. They are freshly frozen and store at -80°C until microbiome analysis is performed. Nucleic acid isolation, 16S rRNA PCR, next generation sequencing, bioinformatics and statistical analyzes are executed. RESULTS: While stool pH is high in the patient group, the Firmucites/Bacteroidetes ratio (1.31 in the patient group, 3.28 in the control group) is found to be lower (p<0.05). At the phylum level in the patient group; Bacteroidetes at grade level; Gammaproteobacteria, Bacteroidia, Negativicutes at the order level; Selenomonadales, Veilloonellales, Bacteroidales to family level; At the genus level of Selenomonadaceae, Rikenellaceae, Veillonellaceae; Massiliprevotella and Alistipes are monitored at a higher rate. In the control group; at the phylum level; Firmucutes at grade level; Clostridia at team level; Clostridiales family level; Lachnospiracea, Peptostreptococcaceae, Hungateiclostridiaceae are found to be higher levels. CONCLUSION: The stool pH values of the patient group are found to be low, and the Firmucites/Bacteroidetes ratio is high. At the phylum level in the patient group; Bacteroidetes at grade level; Gammaproteobacteria, Negativicutes at the order level; Selenomonadales, Veilloonellales, at family level; At the genus level of Selenomonadaceae, Rikenellaceae, Veillonellaceae; Massiliprevotella and Alistipes are found at a higher rate. In the control group; at the phylum level; Firmucutes at grade level; Clostridia at team level; Clostridiales family level; Lachnospiraceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, Hungateiclostridiaceae are found to be higher. These data show the presence of intestinal dysbiosis in the group that did not respond to the hepatitis B vaccine. However, it should not be ignored that the results of gut microbiome analysis may vary with geographical region, climatic conditions, diet and genetic differences. More extensive research is needed on this subject. Key words: Hepatitis B, microbiota, microbiome and vaccine, immune system, gut microbiome