Quantitative studies of the hepatitis B viral pre-S proteins: lack of correlation with the HBeAg status

Radioimmunoassays for the determination of the relative amounts of hepatitus B viral pre-S proteins present in serum samples have been developed which utilize antibodies against synthetic peptides corresponding to the amino termini of these proteins. The assays were shown to be sensitive and specific. These assays have been used to examine hepatitis B surface antigen positive human plasma samples for the presence and relative amounts of pre-S proteins. Contrary to previously published data, it was found that there is no correlation between the presence of the pre-S proteins and the HBeAg status of the plasma, but that the ability to detect the pre-S proteins is only a function of the hepatitis surface antigen titre of the plasma. It is concluded that the pre-S proteins would not serve as a useful marker for active viral replication.