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

Quaglio, G; Lugoboni, F; Vento, S; Lechi, A; Accordini, A; Bossi, C; Faccini, M; Mecenero, V et al. · Clin Infect Dis · 2001

retrospective_cohort · Level III

Where this comes from

Abstract

In a study of 497 injection drug users who had isolated presence of antibody 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 which time no new hepatitis B surface antigen marker was detected. These findings support the hypothesis that patients with isolated presence of anti-HBc have strong resistance to reinfection and do not need vaccination.

Medical subject headings