Class-M antibodies to the nuclear antigen in chronic hepatitis B: their significance for the late prognosis
Fedorchenko, S.V.
Voprosy Virusologii 36(1): 69-71
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0507-4088 PMID: 1858360 Document Number: 369536
The content of anti-HBc IgM in various forms of hepatitis B infection was studied as a function of virus replication for the purpose of using this parameter for a long-term prognosis. Thirty-three patients were observed during 2 years. The dependence of anti-HBc IgM titers on the presence of such serum markers of virus replication as HBeAg was shown. High anti-HBc IgM titers can point to a continuing intrahepatic HBcAg expression on hepatocyte membranes. The results of the long-term observations of patients with high anti-HBc IgM titers pointed to an unfavorable long-term prognosis when comapred to patients with low titers of the antibodies.