Occult hepatitis b virus infection among anti-hbc only positive individuals in the southeast of iran in high prevalence of hbv infection region

Abstract EN

Background : the persistence of HBV-DNA in the serum of hepatitis B surface antigen negative individuals with or without the presence of HBV antibodies is termed occult HBV infection.

Methods : from April 2005 to November 2006, we evaluated 110 patients who had only a positive test for anti-HBc.

Results : out of 110 anti-HBc positive samples, HBV-DNA was detected in three cases.

Positive samples for HBV-DNA had a level normal of ALT.

Conclusion : HBV-DNA can be detected among anti-HBc only positive samples.

Therefore, further testing for detection of HBV-DNA is recommended on each anti-HBc only positive individual.