Acute hepatitis B: a further serological characterization

Sequential determinations of HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe, and anti-HBc in thirteen patients with acute hepatitis B have shown that the viral antigens and their respective antibodies may be simultaneously absent (9/13 with serologic window) or present (6/13 with presumed immune complex formation) in the early convalescent period. These data emphasize the usefulness of sequential determinations of antigen and antibody in the unequivocal assessment of etiology and potential for chronicity and contagion) in resolving acute hepatitis B. The transient appearance of an antibody to liver specific protein (anti-LSP) in eleven out of thirteen patients was documented; we found no correlation of anti-LSP titers with viral antigens or host antibody titers.