BACKGROUND The risk of infection with transfusion-transmitted viruses, such as Hepatitis B virus (HBV), has been reduced markedly. However, a zero-risk blood supply remains a popular goal. Anti-hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) is considered to be an effective marker for occult HBV infection, and it has served a significant role in improving blood safety. The purpose of this study was to dete...

Addition of reducing agents to competitive assays for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) eliminates apparent false reactivity of specimens obtained from individuals with no prior history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and without other serological markers of HBV infection. We have purified and characterized a reduction-sensitive factor (RSF) isolated from the plasma of severa...

objectives the aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of anti-hbc and hbsag in blood donors. further, the study aimed to estimate the anti-hbc level at which hbv dna is detected in putative obi cases, as well as to search for mutations in the “a” determinant associated with the non-detection of hbsag in serum. conclusions we observed that as the anti-hbc levels increase, there...

To study IgG subclasses for the hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antigen (anti-HBc) in different populations, a comparison was made between 104 chronic carriers (60 male and 44 female) and 434 recovered individuals (247 male and 192 female). Biochemistry analyses of AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) were also performed. Among the 104 chronic carriers, 21 patients w...

To determine the current incidence of hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) in a healthy blood donor population, 1,893 donors were screened for anti-HBc. Forty-one (2.16%) were found to be initially positive and 35 (1.85%) repeatably positive. Sera from the repeatably positive donors were further screened for hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), and hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) by dot hyb...

BACKGROUND The hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes chronic hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Surface antigen (HBsAg) detection is a definitive test that can confirm HBV infection, while the presence of antibodies against the core protein (anti-HBc) suggests either a previous or ongoing infection or occult hepatitis B infection (OBI). OBJECTIVES The aim of the present stud...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Evidence is accumulating that hepatitis B virus (HBV) is present in patients who are hepatitis B surface antigen negative but have antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). Furthermore, recent studies have shown that patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who have antibody to hepatitis C virus (HCV) often possess HBV related serological markers. Data on the seroprevalence...

To increase blood safety Brazil introduced screening for anti-HBc among blood donors in 1993. There was a decrease in the hepatitis B virus (HB V) transmission, but this measure identified a great number ofHBsAg-negative, anti-HBc-positive donors. Surveillance policy determines that contacts of HBV carriers should be screened to HBV markers, but there is no recommendation about how to guide con...

First, we agree with Seto et al. regarding the impacts of the sensitivity of the detection methods of OBI (occult hepatitis B infection) prevalence but disagree regarding their idea on the lack of usefulness of anti-HBc screens. They have referred to Seo et al., who reported that the prevalence of anti-HBc positivity in Korea was 13.5%, whereas the prevalence of OBI was 0.016% (1). Anti-HBc is ...