Question

Choose the antigenic component of the viral infection Hepatitis B from the following options.

• A. Alum-adsorbed inactivated Hepatitis B surface antigen
• B. Alum-adsorbed recombinant Hepatitis B surface antigen
• C. Inactivated trivalent WHO-recommended strains
• D. Attenuated trivalent WHO-recommended strains

Hint:

Hepatitis B vaccine = recombinant HBsAg + alum adjuvant, providing protection without live virus.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding Hepatitis B vaccine.
The Hepatitis B vaccine is not a live vaccine but a subunit vaccine. It contains purified surface antigen (HBsAg) produced using recombinant DNA technology in yeast cells.
Step 2: Role of adjuvant.
To increase the immune response, the recombinant HBsAg is adsorbed on alum (aluminum hydroxide), which acts as an adjuvant. This enhances antigen presentation and antibody production.
Step 3: Elimination of incorrect options.
- (A) Inactivated surface antigen is not correct because the vaccine is recombinant, not inactivated.
- (C) and (D) refer to influenza vaccines (trivalent strains), not Hepatitis B.
Step 4: Correct identification.
Thus, the correct component is alum-adsorbed recombinant Hepatitis B surface antigen.
Final Answer:
\[ \boxed{\text{Alum-adsorbed recombinant Hepatitis B surface antigen}} \]