Quantitative of serum hepatitis B core antibody is a potential predictor of recurrence after interferon-induced hepatitis B surface antigen clearance

Abstract Background Recurrence is common for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who achieved hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance after antiviral treatment. The aim of the study is to explore the possibility of quantitative hepatitis B core antibody (Anti-HBc) level as a biomarker to predict recurrence. Methods A total of 73 patients with HBsAg clearance were enrolled in this study, 16 cases with recurrence and 57 cases of non-recurrence. A newly developed double-sandwich Anti-HBc immunoassay was used to detect the quantitative Anti-HBc level before therapy (baseline) and at the end of therapy. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the predictive ability of quantitative Anti-HBc levels for recurrence. Results Quantitative Anti-HBc levels at the end of therapy in both recurrence and non-recurrence groups were significantly lower than those of before therapy (P 2.3386 log10 IU/mL, the predictive sensitivity and specificity for recurrence were 80.0% and 71.9%. Conclusions Quantitative Anti-HBc level can be used as a potential predictor of recurrence after HBsAg clearance. Anti-HBc level at the drug withdrawal has better predictive value than the baseline.