Studies of HBV replication during acute hepatitis followed by recovery and acute hepatitis progressing to chronic disease.
The serologic and viral profiles of 24 patients who presented with acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection were studied. Although in rare cases, HBV-DNA was detectable before hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and e antigen (HBeAg), in the majority the viral proteins appeared first. In acute hepatitis followed by recovery, as IgM anti-HBc (hepatitis B core antigen) titres rose, the level of HBV replication fell and serum transaminases became elevated. In patients progressing to chronic HBV infection, IgM anti-HBc titres rose early, viral replication was initially low but continued to rise as the serum transaminase levels became elevated. 7S IgM anti-HBc, although present in the phase of established chronic HBV infection, was not found in the early phase of the chronic infection. Thus this antibody appears to be a consequence of, rather than a causative factor in, chronic HBV infection.
D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D014779:Virus Replication
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens