Detection and quantitation of hepatitis B surface antigen immune complexes (HBsAg-ICs) by an antigen-specific method. II. Circulating immune complexes (CICs) in patients with hepatitis B and asymptomatic HBsAg carriers.
Using the PEG-trypsinisation assay, HBsAg-CICs were detected in 70% of patients with acute hepatitis B, in 5% of the asymptomatic HBsAg carriers and, in addition, in each of the 2 cases of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. In serial examinations, the complexed HBsAg levels in 77% of patients with acute hepatitis B decreased progressively in parallel with the free HBsAg levels, and persisted in the remaining 23%. In 19% of patients positive for HBsAg-CICs, the complexed HBsAg levels were higher than those of free HBsAg. No correlation was observed between results of PEG-trypsinisation and an anticomplementary assay. Artificial HBsAg-ICs in antigen excess were found to be poorly anticomplementary. C3 concentrations were normal or elevated in the majority (88%) of sera positive for HBsAg-CICs. These findings suggest that HBsAg-CICs in antigen excess are unlikely to be complement-activating. The method is useful for clinical investigation and for routine examination for HBsAg-CICs.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D003176:Complement C3; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology; D014357:Trypsin / Q000494:pharmacology
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D003176:Complement C3; D000939:Epitopes; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D014357:Trypsin