Abstract
Objective: We evaluated the significance of IgA antibodies directed against the hepatitis B vims core antigen OgA anti-HBc) as a marker for viral replication. Study Design/Methods: Serum samples of 143 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers and 189 HBsAg-negative subjects were studied. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction. IgA anti-HBc was determined by a capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay developed in our laboratory. The results were compared with those for IgM anti-HBc, which were determined by a commercially available method. Results: IgA anti-HBc was detected in 57 (40%) and HBV DNA in 38 (27%) of the HBsAg carriers. Among the HBsAg-negative subjects, IgA anti-HBc and HBV DNA were detected simultaneously in four samples. All 42 HBV DNA-positive samples were IgA anti-HBc positive. IgM anti-HBc was detected in 27 (64%) of them. Conclusions: IgA anti-HBc is a sensitive marker for HBV replication, and its absence may exclude HBV replication. The role of IgA anti-HBc in monitoring response to therapy and predicting clinical course is being evaluated.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 52-57 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Human Virology |
Volume | 1 |
Issue number | 1 |
State | Published - 1 Nov 1997 |
Keywords
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
- Hepatitis B virus DNA
- IgA anti-HBc
- IgM anti-HBc
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Virology