Hepatitis B Antigen and Antibodies in Chronic Hepatitis

Abstract

To the Editor: The importance of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and antibodies in acute and chronic hepatitis B virus infection is still not understood, but the availability of sensitive methods for detection has shed more light on the occurrence of this antigen–antibody system.Recently, Krugman et al.¹ used solid-phase radioimmunoassay and reported the early and transient presence of this antigen in five children with acute hepatitis B infection and the presence of antigenemia for eight years in a patient in whom infection persisted. In those recovering from the acute infection, the antigen disappeared, and antibodies to it persisted for . . .