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.

Hepatitis B antigen: advancement in knowledge quickens. (A review).

For many years viral hepatitis and its causative agent have been an enigma to investigators. In the last decade there has been such an increase of information on the subject that it challenges one's ability to keep abreast of the advancement in knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to bring into focus some of the latest developments with regard to viral hepatitis B and its causative agent.

[Morphological alteration and desintegration of dane particles after exposure with "Gigasept". A first methological attempt for the evaluation of the virucidal efficacy of a chemical disinfectant against hepatitisvirus B ( author's transl)]. / Morphologische Veränderung und Desintegration von Dane-Partikeln nach "Gigasept"-Behandlung Ein erster Versuchsansatz zur Beurteilung der Hepatitis-Virus-B-Viruzidie chemischer Desinfektionsmittel

A test system based on morphological alterations and desintegration of hepatitis virus B (HBV) is presented for the approximative evaluation of the virucidal efficacy of a chemical disinfectant. Dane particles, supposed to be the infectious entity of HBV, were partially purified by a trap and a rate zonal ultracentrifugation from serum samples of a patient with chronic hepatitis undergoing an immune suppressive treatment because of leukemia. "Gigasept" on the basis of succine dialdehyd and formaldehyd served as disinfectant for this investigation. In one experiment partially purified Dane particles were exposed to the action of a 5% solution of "Gigasept" on electron microscopic grids. Morphological alterations resulting in derounding, break up of the outer membrane, spiral uncoiling as well as asymmetric enlargement of the space between the outer membrane and the core of the HBV was observed after 2 mins. After 15 mins, the HBV were diffusely stained with loss of the characteristic substructure and became polygonal. The decrease of the number of the particles was proportional to the length of the contact time with the disinfectant. In a second series equal volumes of a 5% solution of "Gigasept" and of a HBV containing serum were in contact for 2 hours, with consecutive purification and morphological characterization of the HBV. The sedimentation of the HBs antigenicity differed from the control. A part of the Dane particles was diffusely stained and lost its substructure. Moreover empty particles in the range of the HBc antigen were found. Another part of Dane particles, however, was morphologically unchanged. The relation of intact and non intact particles could possibly serve as parameter for the HBV virucidy.-Thermo inactivation (3 mins, +98 degrees C) of the HBV in a serum was undertaken for comparison.

Viral hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Most of the knowledge of post-hepatitic cirrhosis comes from studies performed in the last five years on the hepatitis B antigen-related variety. The position of other types of hepatitis (particularly type A) as an aetiological factor in cirrhosis remains conjectural. In general, the post-hepatitic cirrhosis develops insidiously after a mild or unrecognised acute episode of hepatitis. General progress is slow. Early deaths are due to liver failure. Later, primary hepatocellular carcinoma assumes increasing importance. Needle biopsy of the liver is usually necessary to confirm the diagnosis of cirrhosis and to estimate the degree of activity. Sampling errors when such a small specimen of liver is obtained must be taken into account, when formulating a diagnosis and prognosis. Prednisolone therapy is usually given if the patient is symptomatic, biochemical tests are abnormal and the liver biopsy confirms active chronic hepatitis with or without cirrhosis. The evidence of benefit is not so strong as for other forms of active hepatitis and cirrhosis such as the lupoid type. The management of the cirrhosis is otherwise along orthodox lines.

Comparative biophysical studies of hepatitis B antigen, subtypes adw and ayw.

Comparative biophysical and biochemical analyses were performed on purified preparations of hepatitis B antigen (HBs Ag) subtypes adw and ayw, including isoelectric pH evaluations, analysis of the different morphological forms, molecular weight determinations, and analysis of the polypeptides by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Both HBs Ag-positive plasma and purified HBs Ag were analyzed by electrofocusing in a sucrose ampholyte gradient. Four distinct populations of HBs Ag with a pH range of 4.5 plus or minus 0.1 to 5.4 plus or minus 0.1 for unfractionated plasma samples and 3.9 plus or minus 0.05 to 4.9 plus or minus 0.05 for purified samples were detected in both adw and ayw preparations. Electron microscopic studies of each population of purified HBs Ag revealed 19- to 27-nm spheres in each fraction. Purified material labeled with 125I by the chloramine-T method behaved as one major population with an isoelectric pH value of 3.9 plus or minus 0.1. Purified adw preparations revealed a major population with a molecular weight of 3.7 times 10-6 and a second one of 4.6 times 10-6. Purified preparations of ayw contained one population with a molecular weight of 4.6 times 10-6. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of purified HBs Ag revealed nine polypeptides for ayw and seven for adw particles. These studies indicate that purified preparations of HBs Ag are heterogeneous and that distinct differences can be detected between the two subtypes.

Hepatitis B core antigen: immunology and electron microscopy.

TWO DISTINCT VIRAL ANTIGENS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE HEPATITIS B VIRUS: the hepatitis B surface antigen (HB(s)Ag, Australia antigen) and the hepatitis B core antigen (HB(c)Ag). HB(s)Ag, purified from the serum of asymptomatic human HB(s)Ag carriers, and HB(c)Ag, purified from the liver of a chimpanzee acutely infected with hepatitis B virus, were examined by serological and immune electron microscopic methods. Antisera raised against HB(s)Ag reacted with the outer, surface component of the Dane particle and with the 20-nm spherical and tubular particles present in HB(s)Ag-positive serum, but not with the internal component of the Dane particle or with purified HB(c)Ag particles. Antisera raised against purified HB(c)Ag particles reacted with the internal component of the Dane particle and with HB(c)Ag, but not with the surface of the Dane particle or with the 20-nm spherical and tubular particles associated with HB(s)Ag. Purified HB(c)Ag particles, 27 nm in diameter, demonstrated distinct subunits. The infectious form of hepatitis B virus appears to be represented by the 42-nm Dane particle composed of a 27-nm nucleocapsid core component (HB(c)Ag) surrounded by an antigenically and morphologically distinct lipoprotein surface component (HB(s)Ag).