The role of delta superinfection in acute exacerbations of chronic type B hepatitis.
Serum specimens collected from patients with chronic type B hepatitis during their acute exacerbations were studied with radioimmunoassay for serological markers of delta (delta) agent infection. Serum delta antigen was negative in all 56 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and 25 anti-HBe-positive acute exacerbations. Two (3.6%) HBeAg-positive and five (20%) anti-HBe-positive acute exacerbations were found to be positive for both IgG anti-delta and IgM anti-delta. The incidence in anti-HBe-positive patients was significantly higher than in HBeAg-positive patients. These results indicated that some of the acute exacerbations, particularly in anti-HBe-positive phase, could be attributed to delta-superinfection. However, acute exacerbations preceding HBeAg/anti-HBe seroconversion were not associated with delta-superinfection.
C M
CM
Chu
P
P
Farci
Y F
YF
Liaw
A
A
Balestrieri
H C
HC
Thomas
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D013624:Taiwan
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M