Immunological studies in HBV-related chronic liver diseases

Humoral immune response in chronic sequelae of HBV infection was assessed in the present study. Serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA) serum complement component C3 and C4 and circulating immune complex (CIC) were estimated in forty cases of HBsAg positive chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis and sixty cases of age and sex matched healthy control subjects. Hypergammaglobulinemia was observed in chronic liver diseased state. All the three immunoglobulins, IgG, IgA and IgM were elevated significantly. The complement C3 and C4 were significantly decreased in patient group, while the levels of CIC were significantly increased. The increased immunoglobulin levels may be attributed to disorganised Kupffer cell system and also to B cell hyperactivity. The decreased complement levels may be attributed to decreased synthesis and/or increased consumption by increased CIC. A primary or an acquired defect in infected host to generate immune response might result in defective elimination of infected hepatocytes in chronic liver disease.