title: Transmission of hepatitis B from hepatitis-B-seronegative subjects.
abstract: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify and characterise serum HBV DNA sequences in 3 patients negative for all HBV serological markers. HBsAg determinants were detected in 1 individual by monoclonal anti-HBsAg immunoradiometric assay. By use of sets of primers on the S and pre-S parts of the HBV genome the presence of HBV DNA was demonstrated in the serum of all 3 patients. Inoculation of human sera to 2 chimpanzees induced acute hepatitis in both animals; 1 became positive for HBsAg and anti-HBcAg and the other only for anti-HBsAg. Cloning of DNA sequences from viral isolates from 1 chimpanzee and 1 patient was accomplished after amplification of the 3' region of the S gene. Comparison of the partial nucleotide sequence with that of known HBV subtypes showed 0 and 1 point mutation, respectively, in the highly conserved 3' end of the S gene. Therefore the results show that PCR with HBV primers may unambigously identify HBV infectious particles among non-A, non-B viruses and is a potentially useful diagnostic test for detection of HBV DNA sequences in serum.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens