Observations on 10 years' HBs antigenaemia after renal transplantation

A renal transplant patient became a carrier of HBs Ag within four weeks of a successful transplant. The level of antigenaemia was extremely high, and approximately 3% of the particles were 42 nm Dane particles, although the anti-HBe was present from at least 20 months after transplant. After four years the antigenaemia declined to a low level, and five years later HBs Ag became undetectable for the first time. During the past 18 months, no antigen has been detected although immunosuppression continues and the original kidney is still functional.