title: Immunology of hepatitis B virus infections.
abstract: Acute or chronic hepatitis B virus infection is often associated with symptoms which are probably caused by immune complexes, such as vasculitis, glomerulonephritis and arthritis. The immune complexes found in such patients contain excessive viral proteins. The functions of these proteins and the immune response to them during various states of infection are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Göttingen, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Heermann
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Gerlich
mesh_terms: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000276:immunology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D014766:Viremia / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines