Detection of hepatitis B virus markers in sera of asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers with special emphasis to pre-S-encoded proteins.
Sera of asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers were analyzed for the presence of pre-S-encoded proteins. Four individuals with biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis uniformly expressed pre-S1- and pre-S2-encoded proteins. Individuals who had histologically normal or largely normal livers were heterogeneous with respect to expression of pre-S-encoded proteins. This heterogeneous expression of pre-S-encoded proteins occurred most likely due to difference in serum HBsAg concentration. Alternatively differences in pre-S gene expression need to be considered. Clinically the study indicates that expression of pre-S domains in serum is unrelated to viremia or chronic liver disease.
I. Medical Department, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, FRG.
G
G
Hess
G
G
Gerken
C
C
Weber
J
J
Knolle
H H
HH
Dormeyer
W
W
Arnold
M
M
Manns
K H
KH
Meyer zum Büschenfelde
D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens