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. 1983 Aug;18(2):305–309. doi: 10.1128/jcm.18.2.305-309.1983

Failure of preexisting antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen to prevent subsequent hepatitis B infection.

P D Swenson, M R Escobar, R L Carithers Jr, T J Sobieski 3rd
PMCID: PMC270796  PMID: 6619284

Abstract

We studied a patient who developed acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection despite the presence of preexisting antibody to the surface antigen of HBV (anti-HBs). Anti-HBs has been reported to consist primarily of antibody against the common a determinant of HBV. Antibody directed against this major determinant appears to confer protection against HBV, regardless of the subtype. Our patient was shown to have had preexisting anti-HBs of anti-d but not anti-a specificity. She subsequently developed non-A, non-B viral hepatitis followed by an episode of acute hepatitis B after exposure to HBV of the ayw subtype.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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