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Study of antibody to hepatitis-B virus core antigen (anti-HBc) in chronic diffuse liver disease

K Dávid, L Halmy

    Acta Medica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae
    |January 1, 1982
    PubMed

    Insights

    Antibody to hepatitis-B virus core antigen (anti-HBc) is the most sensitive marker for detecting past hepatitis B virus infections in patients with chronic liver disease. Assays for anti-HBc are crucial for diagnosing past HB-viral infections.

    Area of Science:

    • Hepatology
    • Virology
    • Immunology

    Background:

    • Chronic diffuse liver disease affects numerous patients worldwide.
    • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant cause of chronic liver disease.
    • Accurate detection of past HBV infection is essential for patient management.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the diagnostic utility of antibody to hepatitis-B virus core antigen (anti-HBc) in patients with chronic liver disease.
    • To compare the sensitivity of anti-HBc, hepatitis-B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), and antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) assays for detecting HBV infection.
    • To determine the prevalence of HBV infection markers in different types of chronic liver disease.

    Main Methods:

    • Sera from 211 patients with histological evidence of chronic diffuse liver disease were analyzed.
    • Radioimmunoassay (RIA) using Abbott-RIA kits was employed to detect anti-HBc, HBsAg, and anti-HBs.
    • Detection rates were calculated for liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, and fatty degeneration of the liver.

    Main Results:

    • Anti-HBc positivity was significantly more frequent than HBsAg and anti-HBs positivity.
    • In 20 patients, anti-HBc was the sole indicator of past HBV infection.
    • HBV infection detection rates were 59% in liver cirrhosis, 45% in chronic hepatitis, and 26% in fatty degeneration.

    Conclusions:

    • Anti-HBc is the most sensitive serological marker for identifying past hepatitis B virus infections.
    • Routine assay of anti-HBc is highly recommended for diagnosing past HBV infections in patients with chronic liver disease.
    • Sensitive RIA techniques enhance the detection of HB-viral infections.

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