0000000000391235
AUTHOR
Arnold W
Demonstration and partial characterization of an intermediate HBcAG (Dane particle) population.
Abstract Hepatitis-B core antigen (HBcAg) was released from Dane particles previously separated from anti-HBc by repeated pelleting through sucrose gradients separated into three HBcAg populations when analysed by cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation. Heavy HBcAg particles banded at a density of 1.355 gm/ml, intermediate HBcAg particles at a density of 1.33 gm/ml, and light mediate HBcAg particles at a density of 1.30 gm/ml. Like heavy HBcAg particles, intermediate HBcAg particles contained DNA polymerase activity, but the ratio of HBcAg to DNA polymerase activity was significantly different in both populations. Intermediate HBcAg particles could not be separated from heavy HBcAg…
Spread of hepatitis B virus infection among family contacts of asymptomatic HBsAg carriers
Family members of 34 asymptomatic HBsAg carriers were tested for different hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers. Among 67 family members tested 24 (36%) presented signs of a past or ongoing HBV-infection. Spread of HBV-infection was particularly high in those families in which the HBsAg carrier was positive for HBeAg and Dane particle-associated DNA polymerase activity. Non-parenteral “horizontal” transmission of HBV among spouses and brothers and sisters and probably parenteral vertical transmission of HBV from carrier mothers to their infants occurred in approximately the same frequency. Fathers transmitted HBV unfrequently to their offsprings. The results show that the risk to acquire a HBV-i…