Changes in Anti-Idiotype Antibodies against Anti-HBs during Recombinant Interferon Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B

ABSTRACT To determine the possible changes in the presence and level of anti-idiotype (anti-Id) antibodies against anti-HBs induced by recombinant interferon (rIFN) therapy in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, a study of patients under rIFN treatment has been carried out. A total of 62 (38 treated and 24 controls), HBeAg and HBV-DNA positive HBsAg carriers were tested serially for the presence of IgG and IgM anti-Id antibodies. According to serological evolution, treated patients were divided in responders (HBeAg and HBV-DNA became negative) (n = 18) and nonresponders (n = 20). Control patients were also classified as having spontaneous seroconversion (n = 11) and without changes (n = 13). Basally all patients had IgG and IgM anti-Id. At the end of the follow-up period (15th month), a significant decrease was observed in the percentage of cases positive to anti-Id among rIFN-responders (IgG, 67%,p < 0.01; IgM, 44%,p < 0.001). In contrast, only one nonresponder lost IgM anti-Id during the study. A...