Isolated hepatitis B core antibody is associated with HIV and ongoing but not resolved hepatitis C virus infection in a cohort of US women

J Infect Dis. 2007 May 15;195(10):1437-42. doi: 10.1086/515578. Epub 2007 Apr 5.

Abstract

To characterize predictors of isolated hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and HIV-uninfected women, we compared 702 women with anti-HBc and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) with 490 women with isolated anti-HBc (1.8% of whom had detectable hepatitis B virus [HBV] DNA). Factors independently associated with isolated anti-HBc without viremia were detectable hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA, HIV positivity, history of injection drug use, >10 lifetime sex partners, and HIV RNA level >100,000 copies/mL. Anti-HBs levels were lower among anti-HCV-positive women. Isolated anti-HBc was rarely explained by occult HBV in this cohort but may be explained by the influence of viral coinfections on anti-HBs level or durability.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • Hepacivirus / isolation & purification
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies / blood*
  • Hepatitis B Core Antigens / analysis*
  • Hepatitis B Core Antigens / immunology*
  • Hepatitis C / complications*
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Prevalence
  • Prospective Studies
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Antibodies
  • Hepatitis B Core Antigens