The clinical relevance of the antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc): a review.

The antibody against the core component of the Dane particle (anti-HBc) is generally detected in the sera of individuals with acute type B hepatitis and in chronic HBsAg carriers. While the serological demonstration of HbsAg with or without anti-HBc indicates continued replication of viral antigens, the co-occurrence of anti-HBs and anti-HBc is considered a marker of recent HBV replication. The demonstration of anti-HBc in the absence of HBsAg and anti-HBs is in agreement with at least four different states of HBV infection. As this pattern indicates persistent HBV infection in some cases and recovery from an acute type B hepatitis in others, current efforts focus on further characterization of this pattern, using additional test methods such as anti-HBe and anti-HBc of the IgM class.