Isolated presence of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen in injection drug users: Do they need to be vaccinated?

Authors
Quaglio, G Lugoboni, F Vento, S Lechi, A Accordini, A Bossi, C Faccini, M Mecenero, V Pani, A Pantalena, M Residori, M Mezzelani, P
Citation
G. Quaglio et al., Isolated presence of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen in injection drug users: Do they need to be vaccinated?, CLIN INF D, 32(10), 2001, pp. E143-E144
Citations number
9
Categorie Soggetti
Clinical Immunolgy & Infectious Disease",Immunology
Journal title
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
ISSN journal
10584838 → ACNP
Volume
32
Issue
10
Year of publication
2001
Pages
E143 - E144
Database
ISI
SICI code
1058-4838(20010515)32:10<E143:IPOATH>2.0.ZU;2-X
Abstract
In a study of 497 injection drug users who had isolated presence of antibod y to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) at the time of enrollment, 404 (81 %) retained this condition after a mean of 49 months of follow-up, during w hich time no new hepatitis B surface antigen marker was detected. These fin dings support the hypothesis that patients with isolated presence of anti-H Bc have strong resistance to reinfection and do not need vaccination.