E: A Third Hepatitis B Antigen?

Abstract

Since the discovery of the Australia antigen and its specific association with Type B hepatitis, the factors involved in the immune response to this viral infection have become increasingly complex. The complete hepatitis B virus (HBV) is now believed to be the 43-nm "Dane" particle, composed of a 27-nm core (hepatitis B core antigen, HB_c Ag) and a 7-nm to 8-nm antigenically distinct coat (hepatitis B surface antigen, HB_s Ag). HB_s Ag reactivity also characterizes the much more numerous 22-nm-diameter spherical and tubular particles, which appear to represent excess virus coat material released from HBV-infected liver cells. . . .