Purification and characterization of the 'core' particles and their potential diagnostic use

The basis of the postulated correlation between 'core' particles and 'Dane' particles, of their different localization in the hepatocyte and of the different relationships is the mechanism of replication of the infecting material, interesting diagnostic possibilities appear evident in the hepatitis B field. Anti-core antibodies would be alone present in the serum of the hepatitic patient, in the acute or convalescent stage, whilst in the serum of the polytransfused patient they would appear in association with the antibodies directed against the superficial antigen of the Dane particles. The 'core' particles have consequently been concentrated and purified by means of 'coat' lysis using tension actives and density gradient ultracentrifugation. With such material and a hepatitic serum purified antibody, it has been possible to prepare a radioimmunoassay with which a 'screening' may be performed to evaluate the possible diagnostic use.