• Ting-Ya Kuo, Jerry Che-Jui Chang, Yin-Chu Chien, and Chyi-Feng Jan.
• Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
• J Formos Med Assoc. 2024 Jun 1; 123 (6): 693700693-700.

Background/PurposeThis study aims to investigate the prevalence of isolated core antibodies against hepatitis B (IAHBc) in different birth cohorts using a large medical record database.MethodsHepatitis B viral serological test data were collected from a chart cloud database at a medical center in Taiwan between January 2006 and December 2018. The data collected included birth year, sex, hepatitis B viral markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs or anti-HBc), and hepatitis B vaccination records. Enrolled patients were grouped according to their birth year into three categories: ≤ 1986, 1987-1992, and ≥ 1993, which correspond to no neonatal hepatitis B immunization, plasma-derived HB vaccine (PDHBV), and recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (RHBV), respectively. Prevalence of hepatitis B viral seromarkers, including IAHBc, was calculated by sex, age groups, and birth cohorts. Those who underwent repeated hepatitis B serology tests were included for further analysis to follow up their serostatus.ResultsA total of 117,335 adults with complete hepatitis B serologic data were analyzed. Among them, 6641 individuals (5.7 %) were found to have IAHBc. The prevalence of IAHBc was 11.4 %, 0.8 %, and 0.3 % among those born before 1986, between 1987 and 1992, and after 1992, respectively. Among the 690 subjects with repeated blood tests and complete hepatitis B serologic data, 551 cases (79.9 %) remained IAHBc. The other cases included resolved infection status (13.9 %), seronegativity for three HB seromarkers (3 %), and carrier of hepatitis B virus (2.3 %).ConclusionThe management of individuals with IAHBc should be tailored to their age, vaccination status, and risk factors for occult hepatitis B viral infection.Copyright © 2024 Formosan Medical Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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