A 28-year-old healthcare worker sustains a needlestick injury from an HBsAg-positive, HBeAg-positive source. She completed the hepatitis B vaccine series 5 years ago and her current anti-HBs titer is 15 mIU/mL. What is the appropriate management?
- A No intervention needed as anti-HBs is protective
- B HBIG within 24 hours plus hepatitis B vaccine booster dose ✓
- C Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) alone within 24 hours
- D Complete revaccination series without HBIG
Correct answer: B. HBIG within 24 hours plus hepatitis B vaccine booster dose
Explanation
An anti-HBs titer ≥10 mIU/mL is considered protective. At 15 mIU/mL, the healthcare worker has a documented response but the titer is low. For a known responder exposed to an HBeAg-positive high-risk source, a single booster dose of vaccine is recommended. HBIG is added for non-responders or when anti-HBs is <10 mIU/mL. Option A is incorrect because the source is highly infectious.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.