title: Prognostic significance of in-vitro complement fixation in liver biopsy specimens from patients with acute viral hepatitis type B.
abstract: The prognostic significance of in-vitro complement fixation (V.C.F.) by hepatitis-B core antigen/antibody immunocomplexes in hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive liver biopsy specimens was prospectively evaluated in 47 patients presenting with acute viral hepatitis type B. 34 of 37 V.C.F.-negative patients made an uneventful recovery and became HBsAg negative; in all patients with a V.C.F.-positive test chronic hepatitis and persistent antigenaemia developed. The V.C.F. test is a simple and reliable prognostic indicator of persistent infection and of progression of apparently acute hepatitis to a chronic liver disorder.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests / Q000379:methods*; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000209:etiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens