[Development of cellular immunity in patients with viral hepatitis]

The development of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to the surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBSAg) and Botevgrad antigen (BA) was traced in 50 hepatitis patients. Migration inhibition test (MIT) was performed with purified HBSg and AB. Blood samples from every hepatitis patient were obtained at the beginning of the icteric phase, 10 days later and during convalescence. There was correlation between the two types of viral hepatitis and the type of cellular immune response. The development of CMI is associated with disappearance of HBSAg from the serum of hepatitis patients. CMI to HBSAg develops within 9-12 days after the onset of icterus and to BA during the first two days of icterus. There is a relationship between the persistence of HBSAg and CMI.