[Lymphocyte blast transformation to HBsAg and HBcAg in patients with various clinical forms of hepatitis B]

Abstract

Sensitization of the peripheral blood lymphocytes to HBsAg and HBcAg in 51 patients with acute hepatitis B (HB) in the time course of infection, in 13 with chronic active hepatitis B (CAH) and 8 HBsAg carriers was studied by lymphocyte blastogenesis assay. In patients with mild or moderately severe forms of acute HB at the peak of the disease lymphocyte blastogenic response to HBcAg was observed; sensitization to HBsAg was lacking and could be detected only in the stage of convalescence when the specific response to HBcAg was already undetectable in most patients. No lymphocyte sensitization to HBsAg either at the peak of the disease or in convalescence was observed in patients with a lingering form of acute HB as well as in those with CAH and HBsAg carriers. At the peak of severe HB blastogenic response was demonstrated to both antigens under study but was more marked to HBcAg. Most patients with CAH showed lymphocyte blastogenic response to HBcAg. It is concluded that specific lymphocyte response to HBV antigens varies in relation to the severity and course of the infection.