Discordant e Antigen, DNA Polymerase Activity, and Dane Particle Responses in Two Patients Representing an Index Case-Contact Case Pair with Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Abstract
Discordant results for e antigen, DNA polymerase activity, and Dane particle frequency were noted in the sera of two patients representing an index case-contact case pair with chronic aggressive hepatitis B. The lack of correlation between presence of e antigen and the infecting viral strain, as well as the strong relationship of e antigen to persistent and significant viremia, emphasize the role of the host's immune response in the expression of this antigen.