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Significance of circulating HBs antigen-antibody immune complexes in patients with HBs antigen-positive liver disease

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Summary

The nature of circulating immune complexes (CIC) which appear in patients with type B hepatitis was investigated using a method of Raji cell fluorescent immunoassay. CIC were found in seventeen of thirty-five cases (48.6%) with HBs antigen (HBsAg)-positive liver diseases (4/8 cases with acute hepatitis, 9/18 cases with chronic hepatitis, and 4/9 cases with liver cirrhosis), whereas no CIC were detectable in sera of ten asymptomatic, healthy carriers with HB virus. Among the seventeen cases with CIC-positive liver diseases, HBs antigen-antibody immune complexes (HBsIC) were demonstrated in eleven (65%). A high incidence (54%) of proteinuria was observed in patients with CIC-positive liver diseases compared to those without them (10%). Moreover, 83% of patients with HBsIC were associated with proteinuria. A case of fulminant type B hepatitis showed high titers of both CIC and HBsIC during the acute phase of the disease; in the recovery stage, the titers decreased to within normal ranges.

These results demonstrate that HBsAg is a possible antigen in CIC during type B hepatitis. Determination of serum HBsIC is significant for the clinical evaluation of HB virus-related liver diseases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Second Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 5-45, Yushima 1-chome, Bunkyo-ku, 113, Tokyo, Japan

    Katsuaki Sugiura M.D., Yasushi Hasumura M.D. & Jugoro Takeuchi M.D.

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  1. Katsuaki Sugiura M.D.
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  2. Yasushi Hasumura M.D.
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  3. Jugoro Takeuchi M.D.
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This study was supported in part by Grants 348187 from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.

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Sugiura, K., Hasumura, Y. & Takeuchi, J. Significance of circulating HBs antigen-antibody immune complexes in patients with HBs antigen-positive liver disease. Gastroenterol Jpn 17, 241–245 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02776003

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02776003

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