Isolated anti-HBc: The Relevance of Hepatitis B Core Antibody—A Review of New Issues

Tiffany Wu; Ryan M. Kwok; Tram T. Tran

doi:10.1038/ajg.2017.397

Isolated anti-HBc: The Relevance of Hepatitis B Core Antibody—A Review of New Issues

Tiffany Wu, Ryan M. Kwok, Tram T. Tran^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) is considered the most sensitive serological marker for history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In a subset of anti-HBc carriers, anti-HBc is present in the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B surface antibody—a serological pattern known as “isolated anti-HBc” (IAHBc). IAHBc has been of clinical interest over the past several years, with growing data to suggest its role as a serological marker for occult HBV infection (OBI). This article reviews the clinical significance and association of IAHBc with hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection, risk of HBV reactivation during direct-acting antiviral therapy for HCV as well as immune suppression, and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatitis B core-related antigen is also highlighted as an emerging laboratory assay that may identify OBI and predict HCC development in non-cirrhotic patients receiving nucleoside/nucleotide analog therapy.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1780-1788
Number of pages	9
Journal	American Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume	112
Issue number	12
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2017.397
State	Published - 1 Dec 2017
Externally published	Yes

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title = "Isolated anti-HBc: The Relevance of Hepatitis B Core Antibody—A Review of New Issues",

abstract = "Hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) is considered the most sensitive serological marker for history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In a subset of anti-HBc carriers, anti-HBc is present in the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B surface antibody—a serological pattern known as “isolated anti-HBc” (IAHBc). IAHBc has been of clinical interest over the past several years, with growing data to suggest its role as a serological marker for occult HBV infection (OBI). This article reviews the clinical significance and association of IAHBc with hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection, risk of HBV reactivation during direct-acting antiviral therapy for HCV as well as immune suppression, and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatitis B core-related antigen is also highlighted as an emerging laboratory assay that may identify OBI and predict HCC development in non-cirrhotic patients receiving nucleoside/nucleotide analog therapy.",

author = "Tiffany Wu and Kwok, {Ryan M.} and Tran, {Tram T.}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2017 by the American College of Gastroenterology.",

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doi = "10.1038/ajg.2017.397",

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AU - Kwok, Ryan M.

AU - Tran, Tram T.

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AB - Hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) is considered the most sensitive serological marker for history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In a subset of anti-HBc carriers, anti-HBc is present in the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B surface antibody—a serological pattern known as “isolated anti-HBc” (IAHBc). IAHBc has been of clinical interest over the past several years, with growing data to suggest its role as a serological marker for occult HBV infection (OBI). This article reviews the clinical significance and association of IAHBc with hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection, risk of HBV reactivation during direct-acting antiviral therapy for HCV as well as immune suppression, and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatitis B core-related antigen is also highlighted as an emerging laboratory assay that may identify OBI and predict HCC development in non-cirrhotic patients receiving nucleoside/nucleotide analog therapy.

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Isolated anti-HBc: The Relevance of Hepatitis B Core Antibody—A Review of New Issues

Abstract

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