Sequential studies of pre-S2 antigenemia and anti-pre-S2 antibodies in relation to viral replication in acute hepatitis B followed from the early incubation phase.
To determine the time sequence of expression of pre-S2 peptide (120-150) during the presymptomatic phase of acute hepatitis B, we used a monoclonal antibody radioimmunoassay in five subjects followed from 30 to 70 days before the onset of liver damage. Pre-S2 peptide was present in serum at low levels from the early incubation phase and started to increase immediately after the first detection of HBV-DNA in serum, in parallel with the increase in HBsAg levels. During the symptomatic phase, levels of pre-S2 peptide declined rapidly; it was no longer detectable after recovery. Anti-pre-S2 antibodies were detected, in four patients, only in the recovery phase. These results demonstrate that expression of pre-S2 peptide occurs very early in the incubation phase of acute HBV infection and is cleared in parallel with HBsAg. Anti-pre-S2 antibodies seem to play no role in viral clearance in these patients.
Brahm
J
J
Liver Unit, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, England.
Vento
S
S
Rondanelli
E G
EG
Ranieri
S
S
Fagan
E A
EA
Williams
R
R
Eddleston
A L
AL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors; D014779:Virus Replication
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D011498:Protein Precursors; C050807:presurface protein 2, hepatitis B surface antigen