Isolated presence of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen in injection drug users: do they need to be vaccinated?
In a study of 497 injection drug users who had isolated presence of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) at the time of enrollment, 404 (81%) retained this condition after a mean of 49 months of follow-up, during which time no new hepatitis B surface antigen marker was detected. These findings support the hypothesis that patients with isolated presence of anti-HBc have strong resistance to reinfection and do not need vaccination.
Quaglio
G
G
Dependency Medicine Service, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Lugoboni
F
F
Vento
S
S
Lechi
A
A
Accordini
A
A
Bossi
C
C
Faccini
M
M
Mecenero
V
V
Pani
A
A
Pantalena
M
M
Residori
M
M
Mezzelani
P
P
D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D014611:Vaccination
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines