Persistence of Hepatitis B Core IgM Antibody in HIV-positive Chronic Hemodialysis Patient

Health care-associated infections (HAIs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the hemodialysis population. Despite the encouraging trend in the steady decline in the incidence of hepatitis B (HBV) transmission in hemodialysis since the 1980s, prevention of hepatitis B infection at dialysis facilities continues to be, and should remain an important goal, as outbreaks occur from time to time. There is an increased chance of transmission and an increased morbidity once infection is acquired in this vulnerable population. Routine serologic testing, vaccination and infection control strategies are important to prevent newly acquired infections. However, the interpretation of serologic tests in hepatitis B may be challenging in certain clinical scenarios as well as assay itself. Here we report a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patient with positive IgM hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), which prompted us to investigate infectivity of this patient. We report on the pitfalls of a positive result.