Long-term persistence of memory B cells specific for hepatitis B surface antigen in HIV-1-infected patients.

To investigate the maintenance of long-term memory B cells specific for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), purified blood B cells were polyclonally stimulated and cells secreting antibodies directed to HBsAg (HBs-SC) enumerated by ELISpot. HBs-SC were found in 18/20 HIV-1-infected patients with either natural or vaccinal immunity to hepatitis B virus, including six subjects with serum anti-hepatitis B surface antibody levels less than 10 mIU/ml. A lower number of HBs-SC was found in HBsAg-vaccinated patients compared with vaccinated controls.