title: Rapid progression of chronic active type B hepatitis in a patient with hypogammaglobulinemia.
abstract: Rapid progression of acute type B hepatitis to chronic active liver disease and cirrhosis in a young male with hypogammaglobulinemia is described. Absent circulating IgA, significantly low IgG, and normal IgM levels were detected during the acute phase of illness. Enumeration of peripheral lymphocytes revealed a decreased number of T cells and normal numbers of B cells. In vitro pokeweed stimulation of Ig synthesis correlated with the in vivo circulating levels of the three immunoglobulins. Cell-mediated immune responses were normal except for lymphocyte stimulation to hepatitis B surface antigen. It was concluded that the defective synthesis of IgG and IgA antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen contributed to the accelerated progression to chronic active type B hepatitis in this person.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000361:Agammaglobulinemia / Q000150:complications*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M