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

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.

Figure 1

Study subject identification flow sheet. Anti-HBc, hepatitis B core antibody; anti-HBs, hepatitis B surface antibody; HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen; HBV, hepatitis B virus; WIHS, Women’s Interagency HIV Study. *Assays used for hepatitis serological analysis at baseline were the Abbott Ausab EIA for anti-HBs, the Abbott Corzyme EIA for anti-HBc, and the Abbott Auszyme Microparticle EIA for HBsAg (Abbott Laboratories); anti-HBs was measured on reposited serum by use of Vitros ECi (Ortho Diagnostics).