title: Incidence of hepatitis B virus DNA and DNA-polymerase in sera of Italian asymptomatic carriers with the serological markers of HBV.
abstract: The presence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in sera of patients with HBV related diseases is considered a reliable marker of virus active replication. In this paper HBV DNA was assayed by the molecular hybridization method with a 32P labeled nick translated HBV probe. The assay was positive in sera of 21 out of 22 HBeAg-positive and 4 out of 8 HBeAg-negative asymptomatic HBsAg carriers. 15 HBsAg-negative sera obtained from healthy donors showed no HBV DNA. Almost 80 per cent of HBeAg and HBV DNA positive sera revealed a DNA-polymerase activity. In order to determine the infectivity of HBsAg carriers, it appears that, whenever possible, the HBV DNA spot hybridization should be performed in conjunction with the DNA-polymerase, HBsAg and HBeAg tests.
mesh_terms: D002353:Carrier State; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000097:blood; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000032:analysis* / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase