T-lymphocytes and hepatitis B serology

Identification of immune-complex deposition and T-lymphocyte in fulminant B-viral hepatitis with immunohistochemical techniques

Cryostat sections of the liver representing fulminant B-viral hepatitis were investigated with antisera against human immunoglobulin G(IgG), immunoglobulin M(IgM), C3, C4, C1q, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and T-lymphocytes using the immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase techniques. The liver showed positive staining for IgG, IgM, C3, C4, C1q, and HBsAg in the viable and necrotic hepatocytes and Kupffer cells in a granular fashion. Furthermore, the cell membrane of lymphocytes present in the liver were positively stained with anti T-lymphocyte sera. The numbers of T-lymphocytes recognized were predominant both in portal tracts and within hepatic lobules over those of non-T-lymphocytes. It suggests that perhaps some of the end results of fulminant hepatitis inflammatory reactions may be mediated in part by T-lymphocytes.

Hepatitis B serology in Greek prostitutes: significance of the different serum markers

One hundred and ninety-eight prostitutes (mean age 41.8 years) and 117 control women of low socio-economic class (mean age 43.8 years) were tested by solid-phase radioimmunoassay for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), its antibody (anti-HBs) and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). The prevalence of HBsAg was higher among prostitutes (11% v. 4%, P approximately 0.06). This difference was accounted for by the higher infection rate of prostitutes to hepatitis B virus (HBV) 97% v. 45%, P less than 10(-6)), since the proportion of HBsAg carriers among those infected was practically the same between the two groups (11% v. 9%). Among the previously infected prostitutes who did not become carriers the majority (75%) were positive for both anti-HBc and anti-HBs, whereas among control women about half (52%) were positive only for anti-HBc.