title: Isolated antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen and response to hepatitis B vaccination.
abstract: To determine the need for immunization of health workers with antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) as their only serologic marker of previous hepatitis B exposure, we studied the level, persistence, and immunologic specificity of isolated anti-HBs in 46 persons identified during screening for hepatitis B vaccine. We rescreened these persons 1 year later, administered a single dose of hepatitis B vaccine, and determined the anti-HBs level at 1, 2, and 8 weeks after vaccination. Isolated anti-HBs levels were low and antibody did not persist; 22 subjects tested had lost detectable anti-HBs within 19 months even though immunologic specificity was shown in vitro in 34. Anamnestic responses suggesting previous exposure and immunity were seen in only 10 subjects; 5 of these subjects had moderate-level, persistent anti-HBs. Although some persons with naturally acquired, isolated anti-HBs may be protected from hepatitis B, the immunologic specificity and protective value of anti-HBs, especially when levels are low, remain questionable.
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Dienstag
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kuter
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Polk
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Snydman
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Craven
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Crumpacker
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Platt
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Grady
mesh_terms: D000918:Antibody Specificity; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D013997:Time Factors; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines