Response to Hepatitis B Vaccine in HBsAg/Anti-HBs Negative and Anti-HBc Positive Subjects

Abstract

Some anti-HBc positive subjects have been encountered in the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the response to hepatitis B vaccination in such cases. A total of 33 subjects who were HBsAg and anti-HBs negative, anti-HBc positive, with normal serum aminotransferase levels were included in the study. A recombinant hepatitis B vaccine was administered to subjects. Sera samples were obtained 1 month after each vaccination and tested for anti-HBs. HBV DNA and HBeAg were not detected in any subject. Anti-HBs levels were measured above 10≥ mIU/ml in 48.4% of cases after the first vaccination, 63.6% after the second vaccination and 90.9% after the third vaccination. Only 3 subjects (9.1%) lacked antibody response in spite of the 3-dose vaccination. In conclusion, preventive antibody levels were obtained after HBV vaccination in most of the HBsAg, anti-HBs negative, anti-HBc positive persons.