Predominance of immunoglobulin M antibody to hepatitis B core antigen in chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen.
IgM predominance of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) was determined by a modification of a commercial competitive binding radioimmunoassay in 190 chronic carriers of the hepatitis B surface antigen; 16.8% of the chronic carriers had IgM predominance. The carriers with IgM predominance of anti-HBc were more likely to have elevated aminotransferase levels (25% vs. 11%) and chronic active hepatitis by liver biopsy (4 of 7 vs. 2 of 20) than carriers with IgG predominance. IgM predominance of anti-HBc may be an indication of more severe liver involvement in chronic hepatitis B infection.
D000328:Adult; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M