title: Isolated core antibody hepatitis B in sub-Saharan African immigrants.
abstract: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, where prevalence is > or =8%, and is increasingly seen in African immigrants to developed countries. A retrospective audit of the medical records of 383 immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa attending the infectious diseases clinics at the Royal Melbourne Hospital was performed from 2003 to 2006. The HBV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serological results are reported, with a focus on the isolated core antibody HBV pattern (detection of anti-HBc without detection of HBsAg or anti-HBs). Two-thirds (118/174, 68%) of those tested had evidence of HBV infection with detectable anti-HBc. Chronic HBV infection (serum HBsAg detected) was identified in 38/174 (22%) and resolved HBV infection (both serum anti-HBs and anti-HBc detected) in 45/174 (26%). The isolated core antibody pattern was identified in 35/174 (20%), of whom only 1/35 (3%) had detectable serum HBV DNA on PCR testing, indicating occult chronic HBV (OCHB). Only 8/56 (14%) patients with negative anti-HBc had serological evidence of vaccination (serum anti-HBs detected). HIV infection was detected in 26/223 (12%). HCV antibodies were detected in 10/241 (4%), of whom 8 (80%) had detectable HCV RNA. Viral co-infection was detected in only 2/131 (1.5%) patients tested for all three viruses. The isolated core antibody HBV pattern was common among sub-Saharan African patients in our study. These patients require assessment for OCHB infection and monitoring for complications of HBV.
authors.affiliation: Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Gibney
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Torresi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lemoh
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Biggs
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies