Isolated anti-hbc and occult HBV infection in dialysis patients.
BACKGROUND
Occult Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) is defined as the presence of HBV-DNA in the liver or serum with undetectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Hemodialysis (HD) patients are at risk of acquiring parenterally transmitted infections.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of OBI in HD patients.


METHODS
A hundred HBsAg negative HD patients were included in this study from main dialysis units in Tehran, Iran. HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) and liver enzymes levels were examined in all subjects. The presence of HBV-DNA was determined in plasma samples using real-time PCR.


RESULTS
A hundredpatients with a mean age of 58.5 ± 16.1 years were enrolled in this study. In total, 56.7% were male and 43.3% female. Anti-HBs, anti-HBc, anti-HCV and anti-HIV were detected in 56.7%, 2%, 5.2% and 1% of patients, respectively. Isolated anti-HBc was detected in 2% of cases. HBV-DNA was detected in 1% of HBsAg negative patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed a low rate of isolated anti-HBc and occult HBV infection in HD patients. It can be due to improvement of people's knowledge about HBV transmission routes, HBV vaccination of HD patients and regular surveillance of HBV infection.
Department of Clinical Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, IR Iran.
Amitis
A
Ramezani
Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, IR Iran.
Mohammad Reza
MR
Aghasadeghi
Nephrology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Farrokhlagha
F
Ahmadi
Nephrology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Effat
E
Razeghi
Department of Clinical Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, IR Iran.
Ali
A
Eslamifar
Iranian Society for Support Patients With Infectious Diseases, Tehran, IR Iran.
Mohammad
M
Banifazl
TPIRC (Tuberculosis and Pediatric Infectious Research Center), Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, IR Iran.
Masoomeh
M
Sofian
Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, IR Iran.
Golnaz
G
Bahramali
Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, IR Iran.
Soheila
S
Hekmat
Department of Clinical Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, IR Iran.
Arezoo
A
Aghakhani
Hemodialysis; Hepatitis B virus; Infection