Behaviour of e antigen and antibody during chronic active liver disease. Relation to HB antigen-antibody system and prognosis.
Serial determinations of e antigen and e antibody were made in 20 patients with chronic active liver disease and hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg) or antibody (anti-HBs). The presence of e antigen was associated with failure to clear HBsAg, produce anti-HBs, or respond to treatment with steroids. It is proposed that the presence of the e antigen is associated with impaired host immune responses to hepatitis-B virus infection and a poor prognosis.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000906:Antibodies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis
D000906:Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D011241:Prednisone