Transmission of hepatitis B to chimpanzees by hepatitis B surface antigen-positive saliva and semen

Abstract

To assess the infectivity of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-containing body fluids other than blood, chimpanzees were inoculated intravenously with saliva and semen obtained from HBsAg-positive individuals implicated in non-percutaneous transmission of hepatitis B. Saliva and semen samples were negative for occult blood. The titer of HBsAg in saliva was on the average only 1/3,000 that of the corresponding serum. One chimpanzee, inoculated sequentially with saliva from three individuals, developed HBsAg at 9 weeks and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase elevation at 13 weeks after injection. HBsAg persisted for 15 weeks. This animal also developed e antigen, anti-core antibody, and anti-surface antibody. Liver biopsies showed acute hepatitis that subsequently resolved. A second chimpanzee, inoculated with HBsAg-positive semen, developed HBsAg and elevated serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase 4 weeks after inoculation and then died suddenly without explanation. HBsAg was positive in two consecutive samples and was confirmed by specific neutralization. Autopsy did not reveal evidence of hepatitis. This study demonstrates that HBsAg-positive saliva and, probably, semen contain infectious virus and suggests that saliva and/or semen may serve as important mechanisms in the transmission of type B hepatitis.