[A case of type B chronic hepatitis showing rapid progression to liver cirrhosis with prolonged positive IgM anti-HBc].
We reported a case of type B chronic hepatitis with high titer of IgM anti-HBc continuously, which progressed to liver cirrhosis rapidly. The patient was a 37-years-old man, and was diagnosed as chronic type B hepatitis with severe activity by laparoscopy and liver biopsy. The titer of IgM anti-HBc persisted high level for more than 2 years. Then the second liver biopsy showed the progression to liver cirrhosis within only about 2 years. It is a very rare case to prolong positive IgM anti-HBc for such a long time. Anti-HBc production of PBMC was enhanced remarkably in this case. We considered that HBc antigens released into serum from hepatocytes with severe exacerbations had enhanced the anti-HBc producing activity of B lymphocytes. And the rapid progression in this case would be due to the episodes of severe exacerbations.
Tsuji
K
K
Third Department of Medicine, Asahikawa Medical College, Japan.
Hasebe
C
C
Murazumi
Y
Y
Yosida
Y
Y
Kanai
M
M
Ohta
H
H
Ohhira
M
M
Kohda
H
H
Ono
M
M
Yazaki
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis
D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D007075:Immunoglobulin M