Reactivation of hepatitis B virus infection with an unusual pattern of serological markers.
A 73-year-old man presented with acute hepatitis, judged to be a reactivation of hepatitis B virus infection. His serum samples during a follow-up time of 16 months showed an unusual pattern of serological markers. He was consistently HBeAg positive, HBsAg fluctuated just under the cut-off value and he had a low level of circulating anti-HBs. By electron microscopy numerous aggregates of surface antigen particles, but not complete virions were seen. He was HBV DNA positive by hybridization. The complete precore and core genes and a region of the surface gene were amplified from his serum by PCR. These findings emphasize the need for expanded serological testing in some patients with acute clinical hepatitis.
Kidd Ljunggren
K
K
Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Lund, Sweden.
Hansson
B G
BG
Wallmark
E
E
Croxson
M C
MC
Kidd
A H
AH
Nordenfelt
E
E
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D001483:Base Sequence; D015415:Biomarkers; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data
D015415:Biomarkers; D004279:DNA, Viral