Morphological Irregularities in Dane Particle Cores

Abstract
EM of hepatitis B antigen revealed Dane particles with abnormal morphology. These aberrant Dane particles contained incomplete cores. They were seen in large numbers in the serum of an HBsAg[hepatitis B surface antigen]-carrying renal dialysis patient and were less numerous but invariably present in other Dane particle-containing sera: 12 from asymptomatic carriers, 2 chronic hepatitis patients and 1 patient with acute hepatitis. All 16 sera contained HBeAg.