T-Cell Response to Hepatitis B Core Antigen: Identification of Prior Exposure to and Confirmatory Testing for Screening for Anti-HBc

Figure 2

The proliferative response of peripheral blood lymphocytes to nonspecific (PHA) and specific stimuli (HBV core antigen; HCV NS5 antigen) in studied groups. SI = index of stimulation. HBc only with Co/s≥0.1: absence of T-cell response and HBV DNA classified as false-positive to anti-HBc. HBc only with Co/s≤0.1: presence of T-cell response and HBV DNA classified as OBI. HBc only with Co/s≤0.1: presence of T-cell response and HBV DNA undetectable classified as spontaneous HBV resolvers.