title: HBsAG positive reactivity in man not due to hepatitis B virus.
abstract: A viral infection characterised by serum HBsAg positivity with serum anti-HBc negativity has been encountered in Senegal. The infection is not associated with the presence of HBeAg, so it differs from hepatitis B virus in its core antigen, but the surface antigen of the two viruses share some epitopes. After the loss of HBsAg, neither anti-HBc nor anti-HBs becomes detectable. Anti-HBs, naturally acquired or produced by immunisation, does not protect against this new infection. Chronic carriage occurs. If this new infection is confirmed to cause chronic liver disease, hepatitis B vaccine should include surface antigen from the new virus.
mesh_terms: D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012675:Senegal; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D000939:Epitopes; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines