0000000000741098
AUTHOR
Weber C
Expression of Pre-S-Encoded Proteins in Sera of Individuals Chronically Infected with Hepatitis D Virus
The sera of 16 individuals chronically infected with the hepatitis D virus were analyzed for hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers. The majority of these patients had a non-replicative form of viral type B hepatitis as indicated by negative tests for HBeAg and HBV-DNA. Pre-S-encoded proteins were detected in 13/16 sera. Sera that were negative for polymerized serum albumin did also not contain pre-S1-encoded proteins. The presence of pre-S-encoded proteins is probably predominantly associated with 22-nm HBsAg forms present in large amounts in sera of individuals with chronic type D hepatitis.
Detection of hepatitis B virus markers in sera of asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers with special emphasis to pre-S-encoded proteins.
Sera of asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers were analyzed for the presence of pre-S-encoded proteins. Four individuals with biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis uniformly expressed pre-S1- and pre-S2-encoded proteins. Individuals who had histologically normal or largely normal livers were heterogeneous with respect to expression of pre-S-encoded proteins. This heterogeneous expression of pre-S-encoded proteins occurred most likely due to difference in serum HBsAg concentration. Alternatively differences in pre-S gene expression need to be considered. Clinically the study indicates that expression of pre-S domains in serum is unrelated to viremia or chronic liver disease.
Reactivation of chronic type B hepatitis: the effect on expression of serum HBV-DNA and pre-S encoded proteins.
Hepatitis B markers were studied in seven patients with reactivated liver disease. Reactivation of chronic type B hepatitis, as indicated by the reappearance of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in the serum, was characterised by the appearance of hepatitis B virus-DNA (HBV-DNA) in the serum. The expression of pre-S 1 encoded protein remained unchanged in five of seven patients, and poly-HSA as a marker for pre-S 2 encoded protein remained detectable in six of seven patients before and after reactivation of chronic hepatitis. The level of serum HBV-DNA correlated well with the level of liver enzymes, which rose from normal to various levels after reactivation of the liver disease. The data sugg…