Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Screening Before Hepatitis B Vaccination
Authors: MARK A. KANE
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1985)

Editorials1 November 1985Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Screening Before Hepatitis B VaccinationMARK A. KANE, M.D., STEPHEN C. HADLER, M.D., JAMES E. MAYNARD, M.D., PH.D.MARK A. KANE, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, STEPHEN C. HADLER, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, JAMES E. MAYNARD, M.D., PH.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-103-5-791 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptThe availability of a safe and effective hepatitis B vaccine has stimulated debate about the most effective ways to use this product. Because the vaccine is costly and because tests for hepatitis B antibody are widely available, physicians have the option of using one or more antibody tests to screen for susceptibility before administering the vaccine. Most persons with hepatitis B virus infection develop antibodies to both the hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) and core antigen (anti-HBc); therefore, a test for either antibody can detect persons who are immune. Nevertheless, recent reports have introduced doubt about the reliability of screening...References1. TEDDERCAMERONWILSON-CROOMEHOWELLCOLGRAVEBARBARA RCRDAJ. Contrasting patterns and frequency of antibodies to the surface, core, and e antigens of hepatitis B virus in blood donors and in homosexual patients. J Med Virol. 1980;6:323-32. CrossrefGoogle Scholar2. NATHFANGDODD NCR. Specificity of an assay for antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen. Transfusion. 1982;22:300-1. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. HADLERMURPHYSCHABLEHEYWARDFRANCISKANE SBCWDM. Epidemiological analysis of the significance of low-positive test results for antibody to hepatitis B surface and core antigens. J Clin Microbiol. 1984;19:521-5. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. DIENSTAGRYAN JD. Occupational exposure to hepatitis B virus in hospital personnel: infection or immunization? Am J Epidemiol. 1982;115:26-39. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. HOOFNAGLESCHAFERFERENCI JDP. Antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen in nonprimate animal species. Gastroenterology. 1983;84:1478-82. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. PERRILLOBODICKYCAMPBELLSANDERS RCCG. Response to hepatitis B virus vaccine in subjects with low levels of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen [Letter]. N Engl J Med. 1984;310:1463. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. KOZIOLALTERKIRCHNERHOLLAND DHJP. The development of HBsAg-positive hepatitis despite the previous existence of antibody to HBsAg. J Immunol. 1976;117:2260-2. MedlineGoogle Scholar8. SHERERTZSPINDELHOOFNAGLE RFJ. Antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen may not always indicate immunity to hepatitis B virus infection [Letter]. N Engl J Med. 1983;309:1519. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. LINNEMANNASKEY CP. Susceptibility to hepatitis B despite high titre anti-HBs antibody [Letter]. Lancet. 1984;1:346-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. KESSLERHARRISPAYNEHUDSONPOTKINLEVIN HAJEBS. Antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen as the sole hepatitis B marker in hospital personnel. Ann Intern Med. 1985;103:21-6. LinkGoogle Scholar11. WERNERDIENSTAGKUTER BJB. Isolated antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen and response to hepatitis B vaccination. Ann Intern Med. 1985;103:201-5. LinkGoogle Scholar12. . Recommendations for protection against viral hepatitis: recommendations of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee. MMWR. 1985;34:313-24, 329-35. (Reprinted in Ann Intern Med. 1985;103:391-402.) MedlineGoogle Scholar13. WERNERDIENSTAGKUTER BJB. Immunologic responses to hepatitis B virus and their interpretations. In: MILLMAN I, EISENSTEIN TK, BLUMBERG BS, eds. Hepatitis B: The Virus, The Disease, and The Vaccine. New York: Plenum Publishing; 1984:105-11. CrossrefGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: MARK A. KANE, M.D.; STEPHEN C. HADLER, M.D.; JAMES E. MAYNARD, M.D., PH.D.Affiliations: Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byFactors Associated With Hepatitis B Vaccination Among Men Having Sexual Relations With Men in Montreal, Quebec, CanadaHepatitis B Vaccination in Hospital Personnel and Medical StudentsSpecific detection of anti-HBc antibodies with an enzyme immunoassay using recombinant HBcAg and monoclonal antibodiesHepatitis B vaccination in prisons: The Catalonian experienceComparison of enzyme immunoassay with radioimmunoassay for the detection of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen as the only marker of hepatitis b infection in a population with a high prevalence of hepatitis BThe prevalence of serological markers for hepatitis B virus infection in Australian Naval personnelDialysis Associated HepatitisPrevalence of isolated antibody to hepatitis B core antigen in an area endemic for hepatitis B virus infection: Implications in hepatitis B vaccination programsNoise control in solid-phase immunoassays by use of a matrix coatPrevalence of antibody to hepatitis B virus in foreign-born hospital employeesAn enzyme-immunoassay for antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen: characteristics and clinical validationHepatitis B exposure and the emergency physician: Risk assessment and hepatitis vaccine updateViral hepatitisTransmission of hepatitis B from providers to patients: How big is the risk?Screening of Health Care Workers Before Hepatitis B Vaccination: More Questions than AnswersROBERT P. PERRILLO, M.D.Viral Infections in Dialysis Patients Part B: Dialysis Associated Hepatitis 1 November 1985Volume 103, Issue 5Page: 791-793KeywordsAntigensHepatitis BHepatitis B surface antigenVaccines ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 November 1985 PDF downloadLoading ...