Isolated Antibody to Hepatitis B Core Antigen in HIV-1 Infected Patients and a Pilot Study of Vaccination to Determine the Anamnestic Response
Yongyuth Jongjirawisan MD*, Prayut Ungulkraiwit MD*, Somnuek Sungkanuparph MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University
Background : Isolated antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) is frequently found in HIV-infected
patients. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of isolated anti-HBc and the
anamnestic response to hepatitis B vaccination in this population.
Materials and Methods : HIV-infected patients who visited Ramathibodi Hospital in May 2006 were included to
test hepatitis B serology. Subjects with isolated anti-HBc were given hepatitis B vaccine and tested for anti-
HBs.
Results : Of 140 patients, 28 (20%) had isolated anti-HBc. From multivariate analysis, IVDU (OR 30.8, p <
0.001) and anti-HCV seropositive (OR 6.7, p = 0.002) were independent risk factors for isolated anti-HBc.
Two from 28 (7%) patients who received vaccine had a response to vaccination.
Conclusion : Prevalence of isolated anti-HBc among Thai HIV-infected patients was 20%. Risk factors of
isolated anti-HBc were IVDU and anti-HCV seropositive. Anamnestic response to hepatitis B vaccination was
low. Further study with strategies to improve the response of vaccination is needed.
Keywords : Anti-HBc, HBV, Hepatitis B, HIV, Vaccination
