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Isolated antibody to hepatitis B core antigen in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Ahmed Helmy1, Mohammed-Ibrahim Al-Sebayel

  • 1Department of Liver Transplantation, Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia. ahsalem10@hotmail.com

World Journal of Gastroenterology
|July 26, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Isolated antibody to hepatitis B core (anti-HBc) is common in Saudi patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This finding is more prevalent in chronic active hepatitis than cirrhosis, suggesting current screening may miss infectious individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant global health concern.
  • Coinfection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) can complicate HCV management.
  • Screening for HBV in HCV patients typically involves hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of isolated antibody to hepatitis B core (anti-HBc) in patients with chronic HCV.
  • To assess the relationship between isolated anti-HBc and the severity of liver disease in HCV patients.
  • To evaluate the implications of isolated anti-HBc detection for HBV screening strategies in HCV patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective screening of chronic HCV patients at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center.
  • Testing for HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc.
  • Analysis of isolated anti-HBc prevalence based on liver biopsy results (cirrhosis vs. chronic active hepatitis).

Main Results:

  • Out of 169 patients with chronic HCV, 85 (50.3%) had isolated anti-HBc.
  • Isolated anti-HBc was significantly more common in patients with chronic active hepatitis (64.5%) compared to those with cirrhosis (23.7%).
  • Occult HBV infection (HBV DNA positive) was detected in 12% of a subset of patients tested.

Conclusions:

  • Isolated anti-HBc is a frequent finding in Saudi patients with chronic HCV infection.
  • The prevalence of isolated anti-HBc is significantly higher in chronic active hepatitis than in cirrhosis.
  • Current screening protocols for HBV in HCV patients (HBsAg and anti-HBs) may fail to identify a substantial number of individuals with isolated anti-HBc, who could be potentially infectious.
Abstract

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