Isolated antibodies against the core antigen of hepatitis B virus in HIV‐infected patients

Abstract
Summary: The aim of this study was to describe the frequency and significance of isolated antibodies against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antigen (HBc) in 2185 HIV‐infected patients of the Aquitaine Cohort. Antibodies against HBc were found in 372 subjects (17%). Patients with isolated anti‐HBc antibodies were more frequently coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) (58.2%) than those who were anti–HB surface (HBs) antibody positive (22.9%, PP<0.001). These results suggest interactions between HBV and HCV. As observed in patients not infected with HIV, the ‘anti‐HBc‐alone’ serological profile could reflect essentially late immunity with undetectable anti‐HBs antibodies. However, an occult HBV infection cannot be ruled out.