Expression of hepatitis B virus-specific markers in asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers.
A study was undertaken to assess the state of hepatitis B virus infection in a group of asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers. This study confirmed that the presence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in serum was closely associated with serum HBsAg-specific deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase activity, hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) in serum and liver cell nuclei, and a histological picture of chronic hepatitis. No HBsAg-specific deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase activity or HBcAg was detected in highly concentrated anti-HBe-positive sera. In addition, liver biopsy specimens from carriers with anti-HBe were negative for HbcAg by immunofluorescence, and the liver histology was either normal or revealed only fatty changes. These data indicate that the anti-HBe-positive sera contained either no Dane particles or, if present, at least a 500-fold-lower concentration of Dane particles than that found in HBeAg-positive sera.
D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology*; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000032:analysis; D000939:Epitopes; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology
D000939:Epitopes; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase