title: Prevalence of specific IgA and IgM anti-HBc antibodies compared with HBV DNA in the sera of HBsAg chronic carriers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the significance of IgA antibodies directed against the hepatitis B virus core antigen (IgA anti-HBc) as a marker for viral replication.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum samples of 143 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers and 189 HBsAg-negative subjects were studied. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction. IgA anti-HBc was determined by a capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay developed in our laboratory. The results were compared with those for IgM anti-HBc, which were determined by a commercially available method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IgA anti-HBc was detected in 57 (40%) and HBV DNA in 38 (27%) of the HBsAg carriers. Among the HBsAg-negative subjects, IgA anti-HBc and HBV DNA were detected simultaneously in four samples. All 42 HBV DNA-positive samples were IgA anti-HBc positive. IgM anti-HBc was detected in 27 (64%) of them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IgA anti-HBc is a sensitive marker for HBV replication, and its absence may exclude HBV replication. The role of IgA anti-HBc in monitoring response to therapy and predicting clinical course is being evaluated.
authors: Department of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Elsana
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Shemer-Avni
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Sikuler
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Sarov
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Naggan
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Bar-Shany
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Gilon
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Yaari
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Orgel
authors: G M
authors: GM
authors: Frazer
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Margalith
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D002353:Carrier State; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D003698:Hepatitis Delta Virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007075:Immunoglobulin M