Potential infectivity of blood from HBsAG asymptomatic carriers due to the presence of HBV-DNA and comparison with other markers of hbv infection

• Published in: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo Vol. 31; no. 6; pp. 377 - 383
• Main Authors: TEDESCHI, M. V, PADILLA, C. F, DE CAMARGO, I. F, TACHIBANA, C. F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: São Paulo Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo 01.11.1989; Instituto de Medicina Tropical
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Carrier State - immunology; DNA, Viral - analysis; Hemagglutination Tests; Hepatitis B - transmission; Hepatitis B Antibodies - analysis; Hepatitis B e Antigens - analysis; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - analysis; Hepatitis B virus - genetics; Human viral diseases; Humans; Immunoglobulin M - analysis; Infectious diseases; Medical sciences; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Viral diseases; South America; Hepatitis B surface antigen; Biological marker; Hepatic disease; IgM; Infection; Virus; Viral hepatitis B; Hepadnaviridae; Immunological investigation; Viral disease; DNA; America; Brazil; Digestive diseases; Carrier; Hepatitis B virus; HBsAg; IgM anti-HBc Asymptomatic carriers; HBV-DNA
• ISSN: 0036-4665; 1678-9946; 1678-9946; 0036-4665
• DOI: 10.1590/S0036-46651989000600003

Serum samples from 356 HBsAg positive asymptomatic carriers, which were titrated by reverse passive hemagglutination, were analysed for the presence of HBV-DNA, HBsAg and IgM anti-HBc. The samples were divided in three classes, according to the titers of HBsAg and IgM anti-HBc and the distribution of HBV-DNA and HBsAg among these classes was studied. In the high titer class of HBsAg, 65% of samples have one or both markers against only 19% in the low titer class. From the total of 356 samples, 121 gave positive results for IgM anti-HBc (33.9%). From these, 38.9% of HBV-DNA and 47.9% of HBeAg were observed, whereas in samples with absence of IgM anti-HBc, 18.3% and 16.6% were respectively found. A higher frequency of agreement between all these markers was found in the class of high titers of HBsAg; however, HBV-DNA was detected in the low titer class of HBsAg and little or no IgM anti-HBc, showing potential blood infectivity even in HBsAg positive borderline samples.