Prevalence of IgM anti-HBc among HBsAg carriers in Okinawa, Japan.
To evaluate the presence of IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (IgM anti-HBc) in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers, serial serum specimens of 698 carriers in Okinawa, Japan, from infants to adults, were studied by radioimmunoassay. IgM anti-HBc was detected in 7.6% of these carriers, with no difference between the sexes. The prevalence of IgM anti-HBc was higher in the age groups 0-9, 50-59 and over 60 than in the age group 20-29 and 30-39 years. In hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive carriers, the prevalence of IgM anti-HBc was 15.4%, a value significantly higher than in the HBeAg-negative carriers at 6.6%. In carriers with liver damage, the prevalence of IgM anti-HBc was 33.3%, a level significantly higher than the 6.3% in carriers without liver damage. However, IgM anti-HBc was detected in 34 carriers with neither HBeAg nor liver damage. These carriers are being closely followed. We discussed the presence of IgM anti-HBc in association with HBeAg or liver damage. The presence of IgM anti-HBc among HBsAg carriers was closely associated with liver damage.
Hayashi
J
J
Department of General Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.
Kashiwagi
S
S
Noguchi
A
A
Nakashima
K
K
Ikematsu
H
H
Kajiyama
W
W
Nomura
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis*; D007223:Infant; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D007075:Immunoglobulin M