The affinity of anti-HBc antibodies in acute and chronichepatitis B infection

Abstract

SUMMARY Antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) are found in the sera of all individuals infected withhepatitis B virus. A role for these antibodies has been suggested in determining the outcome ofinfection. In this study, the affinity of anti-HBc antibodies in asymptomatic virus carriers wascompared with that of antibodies present in the sera of patients with chronic liver disease. Persistentlyinfected individuals with no evidence of clinical disease were found to have anti-HBc antibodies ofgreater affinity, compared with the chronic liver disease group. Sera from patients with chronichepatitis contained high levels of low-affinity antibody whereas antibody levels in asymptomaticcarriers were significantly lower. These findings are discussed in relation to the predicted role of anti-HBc antibodies in mediating hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular injury.