The evolution of immunological markers in acute viral hepatitis B. A study in 177 patients

: This is a report about 177 patients suffering acute viral hepatitis type B; 135 (76%) men and 42 (24%) women. Sequential monitoring was carried out of HBe Ag, HBs Ag and their corresponding antibodies until negativitation or positivitation. Even though the immune response was adequate, there were three kinds of response: a) Simultaneous, disappearance of antigens and appearance of antibodies at the same time; 46% for antigen e and 39% for s. b) Late the elimination of antigens preceded the appearance of the antibodies; 37% for antigen e and 34% for antigen s. c) Early, the antibodies anticipated negativitation of antibodies which enables both markers to be detected simultaneously; 17% for antigen e and 27% for antigen s.