Prevalence and significance of HBeAg and isolated anti-HBc in several institutions for the mentally retarded in the autonomous community of madrid.

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HBsAg (antiHBs) are excellent markers for HBV infection and its immunity. A total of 414 patients, 312 Down syndrome and 102 non-Down's syndrome, were studied, and 142 were residents of an institution (RI), whereas 272 were in nonresidential care (NRC). Of the total, 28 (6.8%) were HBsAg positive, and of these, 16 (57.1%) had a positive test for the Hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg). Proportionately more Down syndrome chronic carriers of HBsAg acquired the persistent Hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) than non-Down syndrome patients 15 (65.2%) vs. 1 (20%). The presence of HBeAg was correlated with abnormal liver function and high titres of HBsAg. Testing for the IgM antibody to the hepatitis B core antigen (IgM AntiHBc) facilitated the identification of acute and chronic hepatitis infection in both RI and NRC individuals. The significance of isolated antiHBc seropositivity in Down syndrome patients remains unclear. It is not certain whether the isolated antiHBc seropositivity represents chronic "low levels" of HBV, past infection, or false-positive tests, and whether this test should be employed as a vaccine screening test. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 9:29-33 © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.