Anti-HBc titers in HBeAg and anti-HBe positive asymptomatic HBsAg carriers.
A study was undertaken to establish markers for HBV replication in relation to HBeAg and anti-HBe. HBsAg carriers with serum HBeAg had DNA polymerase activity in the serum and HBcAg in the liver nuclei. Anti-HBe positive and anti-HBe/HBeAg negative sera lacked these markers. For anti-HBc the following geometrical mean titers were calculated: 1: 12,000 for HBeAg positive, 1:9, 100 for anti-HBe and anti-HBc positive, and 1:2,800 for anti-HBc positive anti-HBe/HBeAg negative asymptomatic HBsAg carriers. Follow up studies revealed mostly unchanged anti-HBc titers in all three groups over an observation period of ten to twenty months. Our data argue for a prolonged HBV replication in all HBsAg carrier subgroups compared to individuals with an uncomplicated acute virus-B-hepatitis. This study gives no final answer whether HBeAg negative HBsAg carriers have a continous HBV replication.
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D002353:Carrier State; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D014779:Virus Replication
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens