Isolated Positivity for Antibodies to Hepatitis B Core Antigen in HIV-Infected Patients

Many HIV-infected patients with isolated anti-HBc positivity do not have an anamnestic response to hepatitis B virus vaccine, which suggests that they might not have been previously exposed to the virus.

Isolated positivity for antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) is common in HIV-infected patients. In patients who test negative for hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, isolated anti-HBc positivity is often thought to be indicative of remote HBV infection with loss of detectable antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). However, previous studies in both HIV-negative (Gastroenterology 1992; 103:590) and HIV-positive populations (JW AIDS Clin Care May 11 2005) have suggested that most patients with isolated anti-HBc positivity have not had any prior exposure to the virus, as indicated by a lack of anamnestic response to HBV vaccination. In such patients, the isolated anti-HBc positivity may represent a false-positive test result…

Reviewing Author

Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; ID Images (idimages.org); Infectious Diseases Society of America COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines; International Antiviral Society–USA (Guidelines Committee)

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesHIV Medicine Association; Infectious Diseases Society of America (Board of Directors)

Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; ID Images (idimages.org); Infectious Diseases Society of America COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines; International Antiviral Society–USA (Guidelines Committee)

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesHIV Medicine Association; Infectious Diseases Society of America (Board of Directors)

Isolated Positivity for Antibodies to Hepatitis B Core Antigen in HIV-Infected Patients

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Reviewing Author