[Synthetic vaccines for immunization against infection with hepatitis B virus]

The paper informs on the present state of preparation of a vaccine against infection with the hepatitis B virus, using techniques of genetic engineering. Synthesis of immunogenic peptides derived from the structure of HBaAg amino acids stimulated the administration of several oligopeptides derived from the structure of HBsAg. Experiments with the decapeptide derived from the S-portion of HBsAg revealed that also a small peptide, when administered with adjuvants, is immunogenic, Synthesis of HBsAg protein in a culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was already tested clinically and proved to be an effective vaccine. It will be probably also possible to prepare the vaccine by formation of the anti-idiotype, induced by HBsAg anti Ig. The authors' own observation revealed that the administration of anti HBsAg immunoglobulin (Hepaga) causes in rabbits the formation of a component which reacts in serum by the RIA technique as HBsAg.