Hepatitis B virus infection: detection of circulating HBsAg/IgM antibody immune complexes.
Circulating hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) IgM antibody complexes have been described in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). A radioimmunoassay to test for these complexes was developed and compared with a commercial kit. Complexes were demonstrated in both test systems. HBsAg/IgM antibody complexes were present initially in patients with acute HBV infection but disappeared within an average of 6 weeks after onset. In HBV carriers immune complexes persisted over a long time. This test is of value in providing additional information about the outcome of HBV infections and sequential testing for HBsAg/IgM is of prognostic value for clinicians.
Regional Virus Laboratory, East Birmingham Hospital, England, UK.
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Surelia
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Boxall
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007075:Immunoglobulin M