Hepatitis B e antigen and antibody activity in hepatitis B virus infection

• Published in: The Journal of pediatrics Vol. 91; no. 4; pp. 540 - 544
• Main Authors: Tiku, M.L., Makhdoomi, G.M., Beutner, K.R., Nath, N., Ogra, P.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Mosby, Inc 01.10.1977
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Alanine Transaminase - blood; Antibodies, Viral - analysis; Carrier State; Child; Child, Preschool; DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase - blood; Hepatitis B - enzymology; Hepatitis B - immunology; Hepatitis B Antibodies - analysis; Hepatitis B Antigens - analysis; Hepatitis B Core Antigens - analysis; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - analysis; Hepatitis B virus - immunology; Humans; Middle Aged
• ISSN: 0022-3476; 1097-6833
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-3476(77)80498-8

Groups of institutionalized subjects, volunteer blood donors with serologic evidence of asymptomatic hepatitis B virus infection, and patients with acute type B viral hepatitis were studied for the presence of hepatitis B e antigen and antibody in a sequential manner over a period of two to three years. HB eAg was detected in 9.5% of institutionalized residents and volunteer blood donors and in 24% of patients with acute type B viral hepatitis. HB eAg positive subjects frequently had persistently elevated pyruvic glutamic transaminase levels in the serum. Anti HB e activity was observed in 26 to 32% of subjects positive for hepatitis B surface antigen. Long-term follow-up indicated that HB sAg positive subjects with anti HB e did not eventually become seronegative for HB sAg.