Antibody to Hepatitis-Associated Antigen

Abstract

Serum samples from a human population group in the Washington, DC, area and from a chimpanzee colony in Arizona were tested for antibody to hepatitis-associated antigen (anti-HAA) by the redioimmunoprecipitation technique. Anti-HAA was detected in 64 of 324 (20%) persons tested; an age-specific increase in frequency and geometric mean titer of anti-HAA was observed. There was no difference in frequency between males and females. Forty-six of 81 chimpanzees tested were found to have anti-HAA; the frequency of this antibody also increased with age. IgM and IgG anti-HAA were measured in ten patients who developed anti-HAA after what was thought to be primary exposure to HAA. IgM and IgG anti-HAA were detected in all ten patients. No specific patterns of IgM or IgG anti-HAA response were detected.