title: Anti-HBc of IgM-class, HBeAg and anti-HBe in acute and chronic hepatitis B.
abstract: The presence and persistence of IgM antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc IgM) and the correlation with other HBV markers were studied in 42 patients, all of whom had acute HBsAg-positive hepatitis but whose subsequent diseases differed. All patients initially had anti-HBc IgM. In 13 out of 15 patients with uncomplicated acute hepatitis, anti-HBc IgM disappeared within 6 months after onset of the disease. In five out of 12 patients, who in spite of transient HBsAg developed chronic liver disease, the anti-HBc IgM persisted for more than 2 years. Among 15 patients with persistent HBsAg, anti-HBc IgM was present from 7 months to more than 8 years. Seroconversion from HBeAg to anti-HBe was observed in seven patients and in five of these anti-HBc IgM disappeared during the follow-up period. These results indicate that anti-HBc IgM can be used as a serological marker of recent or ongoing HBV infection.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D001323:Autoantibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D007075:Immunoglobulin M