[Frequency and prognostic value of the "e" system in hepatitis B virus infection]

The frequency and prognostic value of the "e" system was determined in acute and chronic hepatitis patients and in blood donors by immunodiffusion on Abott rheophoresis plates. The incidence of HBe Ag in acute viral hepatitis was 20% at the beginning of the disease; its persistance indicated a prolonged evolution and a tendency to a chronic course. The presence of anti-HBe at the beginning of the acute disease may indicate the onset of a non-B hepatitis in an HBe carrier. In chronic hepatitis the incidence of HBe Ag was 58% and in blood donors only 6%. Anti-HBe was absent in chronic hepatitis and present in 15% of blood donors.