Acute Hepatitis B in a patient previously positive for antibody to surface antigen (anti-HBs) determined by radioimmunoassay: case report and review of the literature

• Published in: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo
• Main Authors: Edna Strauss, Amadeo Sáez-Alquézar, Augusta Takeda, Luiz Caetano da Silva
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo (USP) 1985
• Subjects: Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0036-46651985000500005; https://doaj.org/article/5f4e97482e8e4f39ad0b71541489a9c9

The determination of anti-HBs as a screening test before vaccination has been advisable in order to encounter immune individuals that don't need to receive vaccine protection. A case-report is presented and three other cases are reviewed from the literature. Anti-HBs was positive in these health-care personnels that developped typical acute B hepatitis. Different subtyping involving the d/y determinants were found in the first case, but false-positive anti-HBs even with high titres, determined by RIA, were found in the other cases. Concomitant determination of anti-HBc or absence of screening tests seem to be more reasonable policies until a low-cost and risk-free vaccine is produced.