title: Delayed HBsAg clearance in chronic hepatitis B viral infection.
abstract: Seven patients are described in whom HBsAg persisted for 13 to 98 months after acute viral hepatitis B and then became nondetectable. All patients subsequently developed anti-HBs. During the period of HBs-antigenemia, liver biopsies in five patients showed persistent viral hepatitis. Retrospectively, impending negativity of HBsAg was predictable in five patients by a decrease in HBsAg titer, and in four patients by persistent normalization of serum alanine aminotransferase. Although delayed clearance of HBsAg in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection is uncommon, it appears to be predictable.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D000410:Alanine Transaminase