title: Persistence of serum antibody to hepatitis B core antigen.
abstract: The purpose of the present study was to measure the amount of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) in different populations by the immunoelectroosmophoresis method. High titers of anti-HBc, up to 1/4,096, were found in the acute stage of hepatitis B virus infections and in the chronic carrier state of hepatitis B surface antigen. In cases of acute hepatitis the anti-HBc titers gradually declined to low levels but persisted for the observation time of 5 to 6 years. Individuals positive for antibodies to hepatitis B surface and core antigens selected from a Swedish "normal" population showed still lower anti-HBc titers, indicating that the hepatitis B infection had occurred earlier. The anti-HBc titers in sera drawn at intervals of 4 years from a group of hemophilia patients may indicate previous infection with replicating hepatitis B virus rather than immunization with noninfectious hepatitis B core antigen material.
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology*; D003378:Counterimmunoelectrophoresis; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000276:immunology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens