Hepatitis B virus DNA was extracted from serial serum samples of a hepatitis B surface antigen-negative patient with antibodies to the core protein as the only marker of an infection with hepatitis B virus. This patient showed no symptoms of hepatic injury. Sequencing of the amplified viral DNA demonstrated multiple amino acid changes clustering in surface-exposed regions of the surface protein...

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronic infections remain a considerable health problem worldwide. The standard therapies have demonstrated limited efficacy, side effects or need life-long treatments. Nowadays therapeutic vaccination is a promising option. Recently, we developed a new vaccine formulation called Nasvac, based on the combination of surface and core antigens from HBV. Clinical trials alre...

A renal transplant recipient became persistently positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV) despite preexisting anti-hepatitis B surface (HBs) antibodies. The antigenicity and immunogenicity of wild-type (wt) and mutant HBs antigens (Ags) were compared. In contrast to wt HBsAg, genetic vaccination with mutant HBsAgs did not induce anti-HBs. Thus, mutations within HBsAg may enable HBV to escape immuno...

The seroepidemiology of hepatitis B was studied in Kiribati (formerly the Gilbert Islands). Six hundred and two (98%) of the population studied showed evidence of current or previous infection. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen was 31% (188/615) and of the e antigen was 9% (58/615). Infection was acquired early in life, and the prevalence of both antigens declined with age. The rate...

OBJECTIVE To determine an association between transmission of hepatitis B virus and secretor and non-secretor status of salivary blood group antigens. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional, analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY The Department of Physiology and Division of Hepatology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ...

Hepatitis B e antigen-positive human serum was treated with 50-90% ethanol at room temperature for 1-60 min, then the antigenicity of S antigen (hepatitis B surface antigen, in a narrow sense) was determined by radioimmunoassay and the antigenicities of pre-S1 and pre-S2 antigens were measured by enzyme immunoassay. In addition, hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the treated serum was detected by p...

Bangladesh is a South Asian country with a homogeneous population. However, some difference has been demonstrated in the distribution of liver disease in different parts of the country. Hepatitis E remains the principal cause of acute hepatitis in Bangladesh, while chronic liver disease in Bangladesh, including hepatocelullar carcinoma, is predominantly due to hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B has...

AIMS To evaluate the role of hepatocyte expression of leucocyte adhesion molecules and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens in the pathogenesis of chronic viral hepatitis. METHODS The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), lymphocyte function associated antigen 3 (LFA-3), and MHC class I and II antigens on hepatocyte membrane in relation to the histological and b...

Liver tissue obtained from a chimpanzee during the acute phase of an experimental non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis virus infection was studied by a sensitive immunocytochemical staining procedure for the presence of NANB viral antigens. Initial investigations were conducted with a model system of hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens for purposes of comparing two immunocytochemical staining methods. Of...