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Hepatitis B virus infection: detection of circulating HBsAg/IgM antibody immune complexes
1Regional Virus Laboratory, East Birmingham Hospital, England, UK.
Circulating hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) IgM antibody complexes have been described in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). A radioimmunoassay to test for these complexes was developed and compared with a commercial kit. Complexes were demonstrated in both test systems. HBsAg/IgM antibody complexes were present initially in patients with acute HBV infection but disappeared within an average of 6 weeks after onset. In HBV carriers immune complexes persisted over a long time. This test is of value in providing additional information about the outcome of HBV infections and sequential testing for HBsAg/IgM is of prognostic value for clinicians.
Circulating hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) IgM antibody complexes have been described in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). A radioimmunoassay to test for these complexes was developed and compared with a commercial kit. Complexes were demonstrated in both test systems. HBsAg/IgM antibody complexes were present initially in patients with acute HBV infection but disappeared within an average of 6 weeks after onset. In HBV carriers immune complexes persisted over a long time. This test is of value in providing additional information about the outcome of HBV infections and sequential testing for HBsAg/IgM is of prognostic value for clinicians.