BACKGROUND: About 25% of blood donors who test positive for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) have no other positive hepatitis B serologic results. Because of the potential importance and diagnostic uncertainty of this test result, we studied its significance by assessing the serologic response to hepatitis B vaccine in donors with an isolated anti-HBc pattern. METHODS: Specimens from 300 blood donors that were positive for anti-HBc by enzyme immunoassay were tested for anti-HBc by radioimmunoassay and for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). A subgroup of 37 were further studied after administration of hepatitis B vaccine and compared with 34 similarly vaccinated age- and sex-matched seronegative controls. Measurements of anti-HBs were made at vaccination and 1, 2, 4, 8, 25, and 30 weeks after initial vaccination. RESULTS: Among 300 donors who tested positive for anti-HBc by enzyme immunoassay, the radioimmunoassay for anti-HBc was negative in 76 (25.3%) and the test for anti-HBs was negative in 104 (34.7%). Significant differences were observed for radioimmunoassay anti-HBc and anti-HBs titers, alanine aminotransferase, and male-female ratios between four distinct serogroups (A through D) defined by the combination (positive/negative) of radioimmunoassay anti-HBc and anti-HBs results. No significant differences between the study and control groups were observed in the magnitude of anti-HBs responses at any of the six postvaccine testing periods. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated anti-HBc in US blood donors is usually a false-positive result, regardless of the titer.
BACKGROUND: About 25% of blood donors who test positive for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) have no other positive hepatitis B serologic results. Because of the potential importance and diagnostic uncertainty of this test result, we studied its significance by assessing the serologic response to hepatitis B vaccine in donors with an isolated anti-HBc pattern. METHODS: Specimens from 300 blood donors that were positive for anti-HBc by enzyme immunoassay were tested for anti-HBc by radioimmunoassay and for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). A subgroup of 37 were further studied after administration of hepatitis B vaccine and compared with 34 similarly vaccinated age- and sex-matched seronegative controls. Measurements of anti-HBs were made at vaccination and 1, 2, 4, 8, 25, and 30 weeks after initial vaccination. RESULTS: Among 300 donors who tested positive for anti-HBc by enzyme immunoassay, the radioimmunoassay for anti-HBc was negative in 76 (25.3%) and the test for anti-HBs was negative in 104 (34.7%). Significant differences were observed for radioimmunoassay anti-HBc and anti-HBs titers, alanine aminotransferase, and male-female ratios between four distinct serogroups (A through D) defined by the combination (positive/negative) of radioimmunoassay anti-HBc and anti-HBs results. No significant differences between the study and control groups were observed in the magnitude of anti-HBs responses at any of the six postvaccine testing periods. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated anti-HBc in US blood donors is usually a false-positive result, regardless of the titer.
Authors: Carlos Kupski; Felipe R Träsel; Felipe Mazzoleni; Marco A Winckler; Ana Ligia Bender; Denise C Machado; Virgínia M Schmitt Journal: Dig Dis Sci Date: 2007-10-12 Impact factor: 3.199
Authors: Shuaibu Abdullahi Hudu; Yasmin A Malik; Mohd Taib Niazlin; Nabil Saad Harmal; Ahmed Subeh Alshrari; Zamberi Sekawi Journal: Ann Saudi Med Date: 2013 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 1.526