Serological Survey of Hepatitis B Core Antigen Among Patients Attending Clinic in Ondo State

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in sub- Saharan Africa where endemicity is high. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) among patients attending a clinic in Ondo State, Nigeria. A total of 60 clinically ill patients, comprising 27 males and 33 females aged between 15 and 60 years, were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Blood samples were collected, processed, and screened for HBcAg using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques. The results revealed that the majority of the patients had absorbance values below 0.2 optical density (OD), indicating a general absence of detectable HBcAg. However, a subset of eight patients (13.3%) exhibited elevated absorbance readings, suggestive of possible exposure or ongoing infection. Notably, certain individuals showed significantly high mM values, potentially reflecting active viral replication. The findings highlight the importance of incorporating HBcAg screening alongside hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) tests in routine diagnostic protocols to enhance early detection of latent or occult HBV infections. This study underscores the need for strengthened public health strategies, including expanded vaccination programs, routine serological surveys, and increased public awareness to mitigate HBV transmission and complications in Nigeria.