Do we have to rethink serologic markers used to diagnose hepatitis B infection?
The recent addition of testing volunteer blood donors for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) has raised questions not apparent when such testing is applied to hepatitis B (HB) infected patients. The review of published studies, and our own, demonstrates that it is difficult to evaluate false positive results. Some patients appear to lose antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) but not antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), thus raising the possibility of disease transmission. It is anticipated that additional investigation of individuals positive for anti-HBc only by response to hepatitis B vaccine permits clarification of their immune status and absence of infectivity.
Roeckel
I E
IE
Central Kentucky Blood Center, Lexington 40504.
D001782:Blood Donors; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000592:standards*
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens