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Delayed HBsAg clearance in chronic hepatitis B viral infection
Author(s) -
Lindsay Karen L.,
Redeker Allan G.,
Ashcavai Mary
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.488
H-Index - 361
eISSN - 1527-3350
pISSN - 0270-9139
DOI - 10.1002/hep.1840010605
Subject(s) - hbsag , medicine , titer , viral hepatitis , gastroenterology , virology , hepatitis , negativity effect , hepatitis b , immunology , virus , hepatitis b virus , social psychology , psychology
Seven patients are described in whom HBsAg persisted for 13 to 98 months after acute viral hepatitis B and then became nondetectable. All patients subsequently developed anti‐HBs. During the period of HBs‐antigenemia, liver biopsies in five patients showed persistent viral hepatitis. Retrospectively, impending negativity of HBsAg was predictable in five patients by a decrease in HBsAg titer, and in four patients by persistent normalization of serum alanine aminotransferase. Although delayed clearance of HBsAg in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection is uncommon, it appears to be predictable.