title: [Serological indices of autoimmunity in an Italian case-load of chronic active HBsAg positive and negative hepatitis].
abstract: In South Italy chronic hepatitis is characterized by high frequency of HBsAg positivity, male prevalence and infrequent presence of clinical signs of autoimmunity. To clarify some etiologic aspects of HBsAg negative chronic hepatitis, immunofluorescent tests for ANA, AMA, SMA and for liver membrane antibody (LMA) were performed on the sera of 116 consecutive non alcoholic patients with histological pattern of chronic active hepatitis (42 HBsAg+, 35 antiHBV+ and 39 negatives for all HBV markers). ANA, AMA and SMA positivity did not differentiate the three groups of patients. LMA was detectable in the sera of a relatively few number of cases; no difference was found between HBsAg positive and negative patients (21% and 18% respectively). On the contrary strong association (p less than 0.0005) was found between LMA positivity and activity of the disease, as evaluated on the basis of transaminases and IgG serum levels. These results indicate that autoimmune chronic hepatitis is rare in our geographical area and they suggest that LMA positivity is not a specific test of autoimmune liver diseases.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
vernacular_title: Indici sierologici di autoimmunità in una casistica italiana di epatiti croniche attive HBsAg positive e negative.