title: HLA typing and autoantibodies in hepatitis B surface antigen-negative chronic active hepatitis.
abstract: HLA types, serum autoantibodies and serum globulin levels were surveyed in 46 patients with HBsAg-negative chronic active hepatitis. Patients with chronic active hepatitis with viral risk factors were less likely than those without viral risk factors to be HLA type B8 (10% vs 44%) or to have autoantibodies (antinuclear and/or anti-smooth muscle antibodies) (38% vs 84%). Thirty patients (10 with and 20 without viral risk factors) were treated with glucocorticosteroids. Of the 11 patients who were HLA-B8, 100% responded to treatment. Of the 20 patients who were ANA positive, 80% responded. The data suggest that the presence of HLA-B8 may be a useful predictor of response to anti-inflammatory treatment and may define a genetic subset of HBsAg-negative chronic active hepatitis that will benefit from glucocorticosteroid therapy.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000276:immunology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D015795:HLA-B8 Antigen; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D007159:Immunologic Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006680:HLA Antigens; D015795:HLA-B8 Antigen; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens