title: [Nature, character, occurrence, and demonstration of hepatitis B antigens (author's transl)].
abstract: The morphological, chemical and physical properties of HBAg suggest that the 42 nm component of the antigen, the Dane particle, represents the agent of viral hepatitis B. Its core contains a circular, double stranded DNA, a DNA polymerase and carried HBc-Ag. HBc-Ag is localized on the 21 nm particle, the tubular structures and the surface of the Dane particles. At least 8 different subdeterminants of HBs-Ag could be distinguished by means of specific animal anti-sera. HBs-Ag activity was demonstrated in almost all body fluids and excreta. The results of combined histologic, fluorescent and electronmicroscopic studies suggest ath HBc-Ag is localized in the liver cell nucleus and that HBs-Ag is found in the cysterna of the smooth endoplasmatic reticulum of the hepatocytes. The demonstration of HBs-Ag and the specific DNA polymerase in the serum indicate a hepatitis b virus infection with persistent reproduction of the agent, while demonstration of anti-HBs indicates that the infection has been overcome. The clinical importance importance of anti-HBc is controversial.
mesh_terms: D001769:Blood / Q000276:immunology; D002353:Carrier State; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D004247:DNA; D004254:DNA Nucleotidyltransferases; D000939:Epitopes; D005243:Feces / Q000276:immunology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D009784:Occupational Diseases; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology; D013542:Sweat / Q000276:immunology; D014556:Urine / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D004247:DNA; D004254:DNA Nucleotidyltransferases
vernacular_title: Natur, Eigenschaften, Vorkommen und Nachweis des Hepatitis-B-Antigens