Long-term follow-up of chronic hepatitis patients with HBsAg, HBeAg and Dane particles associated DNA polymerase in serum.
Nine patients with chronic HBsAg-positive hepatitis and persistence of HBeAg and/or core-associated DNA polymerase activity in serum for at least 1 year were followed up regularly with liver function tests for 2--7 years after onset of illness. HBsAg was present in all patients during an average follow-up period of 5 years. Seven of the 9 patients had persistently abnormal liver function tests. Persistence of HBeAg and/or Dane particle associated DNA polymerase in serum for more than 1 year after onset of illness thus seems to indicate a further long period of HBsAg present in serum and impaired liver function.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase