Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health problem in sub‐Saharan Africa, where prevalence is ≥8%, and is increasingly seen in African immigrants to developed countries. A retrospective audit of the medical records of 383 immigrants from sub‐Saharan Africa attending the infectious diseases clinics at the Royal Melbourne Hospital was performed from 2003 to 2006. The HBV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serological results are reported, with a focus on the isolated core antibody HBV pattern (detection of anti‐HBc without detection of HBsAg or anti‐HBs). Two‐thirds (118/174, 68%) of those tested had evidence of HBV infection with detectable anti‐HBc. Chronic HBV infection (serum HBsAg detected) was identified in 38/174 (22%) and resolved HBV infection (both serum anti‐HBs and anti‐HBc detected) in 45/174 (26%). The isolated core antibody pattern was identified in 35/174 (20%), of whom only 1/35 (3%) had detectable serum HBV DNA on PCR testing, indicating occult chronic HBV (OCHB). Only 8/56 (14%) patients with negative anti‐HBc had serological evidence of vaccination (serum anti‐HBs detected). HIV infection was detected in 26/223 (12%). HCV antibodies were detected in 10/241 (4%), of whom 8 (80%) had detectable HCV RNA. Viral co‐infection was detected in only 2/131 (1.5%) patients tested for all three viruses. The isolated core antibody HBV pattern was common among sub‐Saharan African patients in our study. These patients require assessment for OCHB infection and monitoring for complications of HBV. J. Med. Virol. 80:1565–1569, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.