Virology and Serological Characteristics of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with the Co-existence of HBsAg and Anti-HBs Antibodies

Background: To investigate the virological and serological characteristics of chronic hepatitis B patients concurrently positive for HBsAg and anti-HBs. Methods: Chronic hepatitis B patients with coexistence of HBsAg and anti-HBs were screened by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). The serum biomarkers such as HBV markers, HBV DNA load, AFP, and liver function were detected, and the virological and serological features were analyzed. Results: The simultaneous seropositivity for hepatitis-B surface antigen and anti-HBS antibodies was 3.867%. There was no significant difference in the detection rate between men and women (p > 0.05). The HBV DNA detection rate, HBV DNA load, and liver function index of the high HBsAg titer group were significantly higher than those of the low titer group. There was no significant difference in HBV DNA load, AFP, and liver function between different levels of anti-HBs (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In chronic hepatitis B patients, there is a certain proportion of patients with coexistence of HBsAg and anti-HBs. The emergence of anti-HBs does not mean that HBsAg can be completely and effectively eliminated. HBV DNA load can be replicated continuously with the presence of anti-HBs, and its follow-up is worthy of clinical attention.