PMID: 60267Oct 1, 1976Paper

Immune response in fulminant viral hepatitis, type B

Gastroenterology
E TaborL F Barker

Abstract

Serial serum samples from the time of exposure until fatal outcome in 3 patients with fulminant viral hepatitis, type B, were examined for the presence of the antigens associated with hepatitis, type B, and their corresponding antibodies. The titers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were found to decrease by greater than 50% before death. Antibody to surface antigen (anti-HBs) was not detectable in any sample. Patterns of antibody to core antigen (anti-HBc)), HBsAg subtype "e" antigen, and anti- "e" were unremarkable, and could not be distinguished from those that might occur in many self-limited cases of hepatitis, type B. A rise in alpha-fetoprotein before demise suggests that late but inadequate liver regeneration occurred in these patients.

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