Detection and persistence of specific IgA antibodies in serum of patients with hepatitis A by capture radioimmunoassay.
The serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) response to hepatitis A virus (HAV) was investigated with a sensitive capture radioimmunoassay. In serial serum samples drawn from 15 patients with viral hepatitis A, IgA anti-HAV antibodies reached their highest titer between 1-2 weeks after onset and peak titers ranged from 10,000-20,000. Serum samples were available from six patients 30-32 months after onset of illness. These samples were all positive for IgA anti-HAV and some had titers similar to peak titers during illness. However, the height of the titration curves, expressed as the binding ratio (BR) at a dilution of 1/1000, was in all cases significantly lower at 30-32 months than during acute illness and early convalescence. The significance of the persistence of the IgA anti-HAV and possible reasons for the change in the BR are discussed.
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000276:immunology*; D006507:Hepatovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013997:Time Factors
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007070:Immunoglobulin A