Premium
Concurrence of hepatitis B surface antibodies and surface antigen: implications for postvaccination control of health care workers
Author(s) -
Zaaijer H. L.,
Lelie P. N.,
VandenbrouckeGrauls C. M. J. E.,
Koot M.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of viral hepatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1365-2893
pISSN - 1352-0504
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2893.2002.00342.x
Subject(s) - hbsag , medicine , antibody , hepatitis b , immunology , antigen , hepatitis b virus , vaccination , hepatitis , immunity , virology , virus , immune system
Among 1081 persons testing positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, 106 (10%) tested positive for antibodies to surface antigen (anti‐HBs) in the same blood sample. Thirty of these persons were studied in detail: seven tested positive for hepatitis B e‐antigen, nine were apparently healthy blood donors, and in 14 chronic infection could be demonstrated in follow‐up samples. Frozen samples of 14 persons were available for additional quantitative anti‐HBs testing using another anti‐HBs assay: three showed no anti‐HBs reactivity, seven showed borderline anti‐HBs levels (1–5 IU/L), and anti‐HBs titres ranged from 23 to 66 IU/L in four HBsAg‐positive persons, including an apparently healthy blood donor. Thus, after hepatitis B vaccination of medical personnel, presence of anti‐HBs may erroneously suggest immunity, while in fact chronic infection with hepatitis B virus is present.