Anti-HBc IgM in cases of hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis in Taiwan.
The sera of apparently healthy carriers of hepatitis B virus surface antigen enrolled in the Taiwan Prospective Study were tested retrospectively for anti-HBc IgM, to determine whether this test would be useful in predicting the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and/or cirrhosis. In comparison with men who did not develop HCC or cirrhosis, the relative risk of those with anti-HBc IgM elevations was 3.4 and 5.6, respectively. Each of these factors was highly statistically significant, although the difference between them was not. Demonstration of anti-HBc IgM titers of greater than 1:1000 in serum probably reflects ongoing low level viral replication but not recent infection. Anti-HBc IgM appears to be a useful prognostic indicator for the future development of HCC and/or cirrhosis.
Roggendorf
M
M
Max von Pettenkofer Institute for Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, University of Munich, F.R.G.
Hwang
L Y
LY
Beasley
R P
RP
Chen
P H
PH
Chen
T C
TC
Lo
K R
KR
Deinhardt
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007075:Immunoglobulin M