Clinical significance of concurrent XXXX surface antigen and antibody positivity.

@entity1 @entity1956
Over a period of 30 months, 64 @entity1 with concurrently positive @entity1956 surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs) were identified at two institutions. When all assays were considered, 23.9% of HBsAg-positive individuals exhibited anti-HBs. Both persistent HBsAg/anti-HBs positivity and variable changes in antigen or antibody status were observed among the 36 @entity1 with follow-up beyond six months. When compared to a control group, these @entity1 did not exhibit differences in risk factors for acquiring @entity1956 or in clinical and histological diagnoses. Concurrent HBsAg and anti-HBs was present at detection in 25 patients, while antibody appeared in the remaining 11 subjects. Subsequently, it was undetectable in seven of these 36 @entity1 ; no clinical changes occurred at the time of acquisition or loss of the antibody. The titer of the antibody was below 10 mIU/ml in 75% of these individuals. In 10 @entity1 , the subtype of HBsAg was ad, while the anti-HBs was anti-y. Concurrent HBsAg and anti-HBs is a pattern frequently observed throughout the spectrum of @entity1956 -related events. The heterotypic antibody in these @entity1 is of a low titer, and its appearance or disappearance is not associated with changes in the clinical course; simultaneous HBsAg/anti-HBs positivity does not appear to reflect a distinct clinical entity.
