Detection of antibodies against pre-S1 proteins in sera of patients with hepatitis B virus infection by ELISA using a pre-S fusion protein expressed in E. coli.
To evaluate the importance of antibodies directed against pre-S1 proteins (anti-pre-S1) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in human sera, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for their detection in human sera was established, using a bacterially synthesized pre-S1 fusion protein. Using this ELISA, it was found that anti-pre-S1 was present in sera from 10 of 11 patients with acute HBV infection who recovered completely, but only present in 1 of 8 patients where the infection was prolonged. In chronic HBV carriers anti-pre-S1 was present in only 3 out of 8 patients and titers were low. In addition, in 5 out of 17 individuals who had recovered from previous HBV infection, anti-pre-S1 was also detected. Individuals immunized with recombinant HBsAg-vaccine and healthy controls were all negative for anti-pre-S1. It is suggested that presence of anti-pre-S1 in sera of patients with acute HBV infection correlates with rapid recovery.
Theilmann
L
L
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Fed. Rep. of Germany.
Burkhardt
H D
HD
Galle
P R
PR
Gmelin
K
K
Kommerell
B
B
Pfaff
E
E
D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D011498:Protein Precursors; C050807:presurface protein 2, hepatitis B surface antigen