title: Detection of hepatitis B viral DNA in sera positive for antibody to delta antigen.
abstract: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was detected in 17 sera positive for antibody to delta antigen (anti-delta). Six sera from two patients were positive for HBV DNA. Analysis by the Southern blot technique showed identity between HBV DNA in anti-delta-positive and anti-delta-negative sera. These results show that anti-delta-positive sera contain HBV DNA, although these sera were also positive for antibodies to hepatitis B e antigen.
mesh_terms: D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D035923:Hepatitis delta Antigens; D006801:Humans; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D035923:Hepatitis delta Antigens