background occult hepatitis b virus infection (obi) is defined as the presence of hepatitis b virus (hbv) dna in the liver and/or in the serum of patients with negative results of hepatitis b s antigen (hbsag) test with or without serological markers of previous viral exposure. the impact of obi in patients with chronic hepatitis c (chc) is still unclear. objectives the aim of this study was to...

conclusions this study showed a low rate of isolated anti-hbc and occult hbv infection in hd patients. it can be due to improvement of people’s knowledge about hbv transmission routes, hbv vaccination of hd patients and regular surveillance of hbv infection. results a hundredpatients with a mean age of 58.5 ± 16.1 years were enrolled in this study. in total, 56.7% were male and 43.3% female. an...

Background: The risk of infection by transfusion-transmitted viruses has been reduced remarkably. However, a zero-risk blood supply is still desirable. The screening for antibody to HBc (anti-HBc) has been shown as an alternative test for the detection of HBV infection. Objective: The main aim of this study was to evaluate HBV infection markers and the potential value of anti-HBc testing of blo...

In the recent issue of Middle East Journal of Digestive Diseases, we read with great interest the article by Bahari et al.1, “Significance of response to hepatitits B vaccine in subjects with isolated antibody to hepatitis B core antigen”. We wanted to specify some important matters related to the article. Initially, definition of occult hepatitis B virus infection is the existence of hepatitis...

background blood born viral infections such as hepatitis b virus (hbv) are major concerns in chronic hemodialysis (chd) patients and hemodialysis units. undetected hbs ag in the presence of viral dna, occult hbv infection (obi), is a concern in the care of chd patients and hemodialysis unit as a mode of transmission. objectives in this case-control study we compare the frequency of obi in the c...

In the recent issue of Middle East Journal of Digestive Diseases, we read with great interest the article by Bahari et al.1, “Significance of response to hepatitits B vaccine in subjects with isolated antibody to hepatitis B core antigen”. We wanted to specify some important matters related to the article. Initially, definition of occult hepatitis B virus infection is the existence of hepatitis...

conclusions the significant number of coinfected hiv-hcv patients only had hbcab positive test without detectable hbv-dna. further studies for detection of hbv-dna in both serum and liver biopsy specimens may help clarify the impact of hbv infection in coinfected hiv/hcv patients. results of 103 hiv-hcv coinfected patients, both hbsag and hbcab were positive in 7 patients (6.8%), negative in 44...

Two cases of pyrexia of unknown origin are described in which no cause was found despite exhaustive inpatient investigation until occult dental infection was detected: extraction of the teeth involved was followed by resolution of the pyrexia. Dental infection should be considered as an unusual but eminently treatable cause of pyrexia of unknown origin.