The response of isolated anti-HBc positive subjects to recombinant hepatitis B vaccine.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the response to hepatitis B vaccination in isolated anti-HBc positive subjects.


METHODS
Forty-eight subjects with persistent isolated core antibody were included in the study. Fifty healthy people who were negative for HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc were included in the study as a control group. They all were vaccinated with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine at 0, 1 and 2 months.


RESULTS
Thirty days after each dose of vaccination, serum levels over 10IU/l of anti-HBs are found in 50% of the subjects with isolated anti-HBc after first; in 68.7% after second and in 89.6% after third vaccination. There were no statistical differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). Twenty subjects in isolated anti-HBc group (41.6%) but none of the subjects from the control group responded with a titer of > 50IU/l after 30 days, which suggested an anamnestic response due to prior infection and immunity. Furthermore, 23 subjects in isolated anti-HBc group (47.9%) finally responded after three doses of vaccination (anti-HBs titer > 10IU/l) thus excluding chronic infection and suggesting initial false positive results.


CONCLUSIONS
In isolated anti-HBc subjects false positive results (primary response) or prior infection by HBV (anamnestic response) can be detected by anti-HBs response after HBV vaccination.
Ural
O
O
Department of Infections Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Selcuk, Konya, Turkey. onurural42@hotmail.com
Findik
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014611:Vaccination; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic