Anti-HBc-nonreactive occult hepatitis B infections with HBV genotypes B and C in vaccinated immunocompetent adults

Abstract

Absence of anti-HBc reactivity with detectable anti-HBs was observed in blood donors with occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI). The prevalence and mechanisms underlying this uncommon condition were investigated over time in Chinese blood donors with OBI. Isolated anti-HBs OBI status was identified from 466,911 donors from Dalian, China, and monitored in follow-up (range: 2.6-84.3 months). HBV vaccination status was documented, and infecting viral strains were characterized. Of 451 confirmed OBIs (1:1035), 43 (9.5%; 1:10,858) had isolated anti-HBs as only serological marker. Isolated anti-HBs OBIs differed from anti-HBc-reactive OBIs by significantly younger age (median 24 years), higher HBV DNA (median: 20 IU/ml) and anti-HBs (median 60.5 IU/L) levels, paucity of mutations in HBV Core and S proteins, and high vaccination rate (72%). Vaccinated isolated anti-HBs OBIs (n = 31) differed from unvaccinated (n = 11) by significantly younger age (22 vs 38 years), higher anti-HBs level at index (48% vs 9% with anti-HBs >100 IU/L) and higher frequency of anti-HBs immune response (44% vs 20%). Of 15 vaccinated and 5 unvaccinated OBIs follow-up, 65% (8 vaccinated and 5 unvaccinated) became HBV DNA negative suggesting aborted recent infection, while 35% (7 vaccinated) had low persistent viraemia 2 to 65 months post index. In conclusion, isolated anti-HBs OBI in Chinese blood donors appears associated with young, vaccinated, adults exposed to HBV who predominantly develop low level aborted infection revealed by transient HBV DNA and immune anti-HBs response. However, a subset of individuals still experienced low but persistent viral replication whose clinical outcome remains uncertain.

Keywords: HBV variants; anti-HBs; blood donors; hepatitis B vaccine; hepatitis B virus; occult infection; viral DNA.

FIGURE 1

Detection of HBV serological and molecular markers in pre‐qualified blood donors.

FIGURE 2

Anti‐HBs and HBV DNA detection over time in vaccinated and unvaccinated isolated anti‐HBs OBI carriers. Open symbols indicate undetectable HBV DNA. Arrows indicate anti‐HBc positive samples.

FIGURE 3

Correlation between age of OBI and HBsAg+ carriers and the level of amino acid mutation in viral Core and S proteins. Dots represent individual values. Red dots indicate isolated anti‐HBs OBIs. Spearman rank correlation test was used.