Studies of asymptomatic carriers of hepatitis B antigen (HB Ag) have suggested that the hepatitis B virus may not be directly damaging to liver cells and it is possible that the hepatocellular necrosis which accompanies acute hepatitis may be induced by immunological reactions directed at viral antigenic determinants on the surface of infected cells. Immunological reactions may also be implicat...

conclusions in our study, only hbv genotype d was found among all the positive hbsag and occult hbv infection. moreover, high prevalence (40.7%) of occult hbv infection was determined among patients suffered from cryptogenic cirrhosis. results eleven (40.7%) out of 27 hbv cryptogenic cirrhosis and all 11 hbsag-positive patients were positive for hbv dna. the seroprevalences of hepatitis b virus...

The humanized monoclonal antibody HzKR127 recognizes the preS1 domain of the human hepatitis B virus surface proteins with a broadly neutralizing activity in vivo. We present the crystal structures of HzKR127 Fab and its complex with a major epitope peptide. In the complex structure, the bound peptide forms a type IV beta-turn followed by 3(10) helical turn, the looped-out conformation of which...

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are two common pathogens causing chronic hepatitis in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). With the acceptance of hepatitis B s antigen (HBsAg) screening, infected patients have been identified and isolated over the past 20 years. Consequently, hepatitis B is now being seen less frequently in dialysis units. Even though hepatitis B has become less of a probl...

introduction and aims: in order to prevent liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in later life, it is essential to prevent hepatitis b virus (hbv) infection in infants. despite the availability of an effective vaccine, hepatitis b still continues to be a significant health problem. the aim of this study is to reveal the efficacy of passive and active immunoprophylaxis for preventing peri...

conclusions hbv vaccination in infancy is effective at preventing chronic hbv infection but is less effective at preventing occult hbv infection. similar studies examining the efficacy of adult hbv vaccination in preventing occult hbv have not been performed. this case highlights the importance of carefully determining the hbv status of high-risk individuals, as vaccination history and the pres...

The sensitivity of passive bacterial agglutination (PBA), i.e., the agglutination of Staphylococcus aureus coated with antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen by hepatitis B surface antigen, was assessed by testing reference panel no. 3A sera (Bureau of Biologics, U.S. Food and Drug Administration). Of the 23 samples containing hepatitis B surface antigen, 18 were positive by PBA. Sera from 1...

It is still a matter of debate whether nucleoside/nucleotide analogues should be administered as prophylaxis to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative/antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc)-positive patients with immunosuppression or whether these patients should be closely monitored and early treatment administered to those who become HBsAg-positive. We describe a reactiv...

Selective synthesis in mammalian cells of the hepatitis B virus middle surface (MS) protein, which is 55 amino acids longer than the major surface (S) protein, was achieved by using a recombinant vaccinia virus. The 33-kilodalton MS polypeptide was glycosylated and secreted as particles that resembled human hepatitis B surface antigen as well as particles composed solely of S protein with regar...

BACKGROUND The duration of protection after hepatitis B vaccination in early infancy is unclear and may be related to vaccination schedule, dosage, vaccine type and population characteristics. Factors potentially influencing waning immunity were assessed. METHODS A systematic review was performed. The main outcomes were prevalence of anti-hepatits B antibodies ≥ 10 mIU/mL after primary or boo...