The Development of HBsAg-Positive Hepatitis Despite the Previous Existence of Antibody to HBsAg

Abstract
Summary: A dentist developed acute, icteric HBsAg-positive hepatitis despite the prior existence of anti-HBs. Evaluation of this antibody showed it to have a restricted specificity reacting with only one subdeterminant (α1) of the hepatitis B surface antigen. The anti-HBs/α1 coexisted with HBsAg of subtype ayw in the acute phase hepatitis serum.