Characterization of Antibodies to the Structural Polypeptides of HBsAg: Evidence for Subtype-Specific Determinants

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Abstract
Summary: Antisera prepared in guinea pigs to the structural polypeptides of HBsAg/adw and HBsAg/ayw were examined by a modified passive hemagglutination assay for antibodies to the subtype-specific d and y determinants. All of the isolated polypeptide fractions stimulated antibodies to both group-specific and subtype-specific antigens of the native HBsAg particle from which they were derived. These data indicate that the polypeptides have similarities in their immunochemical structure.