title: Hepatitis B surface antigen/IgM complexes: relation to receptors for polymerized human serum albumin, hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA polymerase activity and HBV markers.
abstract: The presence and the level of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)/IgM complexes were determined in 54 chronic HBsAg carriers in relation to receptors for polymerized human serum albumin (pHSA-R) tested by specific radioimmunoassay, and to hepatitis B virus-DNA polymerase (HBV-DNAp). HBsAg/IgM complexes, correlated significantly with the HBsAg concentration but, at a similar HBsAg concentration, significant highest values of HBsAg/IgM complexes were found among HBeAg positive patients. In addition, a significant correlation was found between HBsAg/IgM complex levels, HBeAg titres and HBV-DNAp activity (r = 0.628, p less than 0.001 and r = 0.559, p less than 0.001, respectively). Moreover, a positive linear correlation was found when comparing HBsAg/IgM complexes and pHSA-R levels (r = 0.848, p less than 0.001). Patients who were positive for HBsAg/IgM complexes had a significantly higher glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) level than those who did not show any complexes. In conclusion, HBsAg/IgM complexes seemed to be indirectly related to HBV replication.
mesh_terms: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000032:analysis; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis*; D017457:Receptors, Albumin; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000276:immunology; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D017457:Receptors, Albumin; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D012709:Serum Albumin; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase