Expression of hepatitis B virus-specific markers in asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers

A study was undertaken to assess the state of hepatitis B virus infection in a group of asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers. This study confirmed that the presence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in serum was closely associated with serum HBsAg-specific deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase activity, hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) in serum and liver cell nuclei, and a histological picture of chronic hepatitis. No HBsAg-specific deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase activity or HBcAg was detected in highly concentrated anti-HBe-positive sera. In addition, liver biopsy specimens from carriers with anti-HBe were negative for HbcAg by immunofluorescence, and the liver histology was either normal or revealed only fatty changes. These data indicate that the anti-HBe-positive sera contained either no Dane particles or, if present, at least a 500-fold-lower concentration of Dane particles than that found in HBeAg-positive sera.