Prevalence of specific IgA and IgM anti-HBc antibodies compared with HBV DNA in the sera of HBsAg chronic carriers.
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.
Elsana
S
S
Department of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Shemer-Avni
Y
Y
Sikuler
E
E
Sarov
B
B
Naggan
L
L
Bar-Shany
S
S
Gilon
E
E
Yaari
A
A
Orgel
M
M
Frazer
G M
GM
Margalith
M
M
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
D015415:Biomarkers; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007075:Immunoglobulin M