Detection of antibodies against hepatitis B virus polymerase antigen in hepatitis B virus-infected patients.
By the use of a truncated recombinant hepatitis B virus polymerase antigen, we have characterized a series of patient sera for anti-hepatitis B virus polymerase antibodies. Seven of 54 (13%) had antipolymerase antibodies detectable by Western blot analysis, and no close correlation was apparent between the disease status and patient's immune response against hepatitis B virus polymerase antigen. Our results indicate that serologic responses to the viral polymerase are demonstrable but suggest that such antibodies are not likely to be clinically useful as diagnostic or prognostic markers of infection.
Department of Microbiology, University of California Medical Center, San Francisco 94143.
L J
LJ
Chang
J
J
Dienstag
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D
Ganem
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H
Varmus
D015153:Blotting, Western; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000276:immunology
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase