title: Liver disease and the e antigen in HBsAg carriers with chronic renal failure.
abstract: This study was undertaken to assess the frequency of development and the stages of evolution of chronic liver disease in patients with renal failure who are chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen. Cirrhosis or chronic active hepatitis developed in five of 21 patients and could not be predicted by the initial histological appearance or by HLA-A and B typing but was associated with the e antigen in four of the five patients. However, the antigen was not a consistent indicator of a poor prognosis, as the four other e antigen positive patients did not develop chronic liver disease during the period of the study. Transmission of hepatitis B to spouses occurred in four cases, was fatal in one instance, and was associated with e antigen in three of the four. Determination of e antigen status in renal unit patients who are carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen may be of value to the patient and his home environment.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens