title: Primary immunization-like response without hepatitis following transfusion of HBeAg-positive blood.
abstract: An accidental transfusion of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive whole blood was given to a 19-yr-old male, bleeding after tonsillectomy. Serum obtained from the patient before the transfusion revealed no hepatitis B antigens or antibodies. After the transfusion the patient became HBsAg-positive, cleared this antigen and developed antibodies to both HBsAg and HBeAg. The transfusion blood was positive for total antibody and IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg). The patient's blood became positive for these antibodies after the transfusion, but with declining titres. Liver tests were normal through the entire follow-up. The serological and clinical course suggests immunisation to passively transferred antigens without hepatitis.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D006470:Hemorrhage; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014068:Tonsillectomy
chemical_list: D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens