Periarteritis Nodosa, Australia Antigen and Lymphatic Leukemia

Abstract

A patient who had both lymphatic leukemia and periarteritis nodosa also had persistent Australia antigenemia. Various morphologic forms of Australia antigen were observed in the patient's serum on electron microscopy, but circulating immune complexes were not demonstrable. At autopsy, there was no evidence of persistent hepatitis. Examination of tissues by fluorescent-antibody technic revealed Australia antigen and IgG in the liver-cell nuclei, most probably in the form of immune complexes. Australia antigen was detected in the subacute lesions of periarteritis nodosa in the absence of immunoglobulins or complement.