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Hepatitis B core antigen in serum during acute hepatitis B
L Chemello1, P Pontisso, E Schiavon
1Istituto di Medicina Clinica, Clinica Medica 2, Università di Padova, Italy.
Journal of Medical Virology
|April 1, 1988
Summary
Hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) detection in patients with hepatitis B virus infection reveals distinct patterns in acute versus chronic phases. HBcAg positivity during acute hepatitis B, especially with liver damage, suggests antigen release from dying cells, even after virus replication stops.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant global health concern.
- Accurate detection of viral antigens is crucial for understanding disease progression.
- Masking of Hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) by antibodies can complicate detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavior of HBcAg in acute and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
- To correlate HBcAg levels with HBV DNA during different phases of infection.
- To explore the source of HBcAg during acute hepatitis B, particularly during peak liver damage.
Main Methods:
- Modified radioimmunoassay utilizing high molarity treatment of serum samples.
- Measurement of HBcAg in patients with acute and chronic HBV infection.
- Correlation analysis between HBcAg levels and serum HBV DNA.
Main Results:
- A strong correlation between HBcAg levels and serum HBV DNA was observed in chronic infection.
- Acute phase sera frequently showed positive HBcAg but negative HBV DNA, especially during maximum liver damage.
- Sequential studies indicated persistent HBcAg positivity, sometimes enhanced during peak liver damage in acute hepatitis B, alongside HBV DNA clearance.
Conclusions:
- HBcAg detection methods need to account for antibody interference.
- HBcAg and HBV DNA dynamics differ significantly between acute and chronic hepatitis B.
- Persistent and enhanced HBcAg positivity in acute hepatitis B with liver damage suggests release from immunolysed hepatocytes post-replication.