Detection of HBsAg and HBsAb in sweat.
HBsAg was detected in the sweat of 9/18 seropositive, but 0/20 seronegative probands. Frequency of detection correlated to serum titer of HBsAg, blood contamination and efficiency of sweat concentrating. On base of quantitative evaluations it is assumed, that blood and/or plasma contaminations are responsible for the presence of HBsAg in sweat. Since HBsAg and hepatitis virus B are of similar diameter, this mechanisms should work on the infectious agent too. Thus HBsAg could prove a marker, to calculate the infectivity of sweat in comparison to the corresponding serum specimen (10(-6) to 10(-7). HBsAb was detected in sweat too and was confined to HBsAb-seropositive probands (4/5). It is discussed, that the presence of HBsAb in sweat could provide protection against reinfections by contact and thus contribute to homologous immunity in hepatitis B.
D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D013542:Sweat / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D007136:Immunoglobulins