PERSISTENCE OF CIRCULATING HBsAg/IgM COMPLEXES IN ACUTE VIRAL HEPATITIS, TYPE B: AN EARLY MARKER OF CHRONIC EVOLUTION

Franco Careoda, Roberto De Franchis, Antonella D'Arminio Monforte, Maurizio Vecchi, Massimo Primignani, Elio Rossi, Mario Palla, Nicola Dioguardi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Serial serum samples from 110 patients with acute viral hepatitis type B were tested for HBsAg/IgM complexes by a newly developed solid-phase radioimmunoassay. In 102 patients the infection resolved and they recovered from the disease. In these patients, HBsAg/IgM complexes were either absent from the outset or disappeared from serum within four weeks of admission, long before HBsAg had cleared or serum alanine aminotransferase had returned to normal. 8 patients progressed to chronic HBsAg carrier state and chronic liver disease. In these patients, HBsAg/IgM complexes were detectable in the serum on admission, and never disappeared. These results indicate that persistence of circulating complexes containing HBsAg and IgM after the early phase of acute viral hepatitis type B is a predictor of disease chronicity. As early as the fifth week of illness those in whom chronic liver disease developed could be distinguished from those who recovered.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)358-360
Number of pages3
JournalLancet
Volume320
Issue number8294
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 14 1982

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine(all)

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