Occult hepatitis B virus infection among human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with isolated hepatitis B core antibody in Isfahan, Iran

Detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genomes without detectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs-Ag) is termed occult HBV infection (OHBV) that may be transmitted by blood transfusion or organ transplantation and has acute reactivation when an immunosuppressive status like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection occurs. We aimed to evaluate OHBV in HIV-infected patients with isolated antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) in Isfahan, Iran. In a cross-sectional study during August-September 2011, serum samples from HIV-infected patients who attended Isfahan Consultation Center for Behavioral Diseases were tested for HBs-Ag and anti-HBc using ELISA method. HBV-deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was detected and quantified in plasma of HBs-Ag negative/anti-HBc positive subjects by real-time polymerase chain reaction. From 64 HIV-positive individuals, 12 (18%) patients were HBs-Ag negative/anti-HBc positive, and from those 3 (25%) had detectable HBV-DNA in their plasma. It seems that occult HBV might be assessed and be treated in HIV-infected patients.