Immunologic Aspects of Hepatitis-Associated Antigen and Antibody in Human Body Fluids

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Abstract
Employing the techniques of immunoelectrophoresis and indirect immunofluorescence with smears of peripheral blood, we determined the presence of hepatitis-associated antigen (HAA) and anti-HAA antibody in concentrated specimens of serum, nasopharyngeal washings, urine, and fecal extracts from patients with icteric or asymptomatic HAA infection. Highest concentrations of HAA in the serum were demonstrable at the time of initial screening. HAA was detected in the nasopharyngeal washings and urine for a short period in a few subjects. All subjects manifested appreciable quantities of HAA in fecal extracts and the antigen persisted in the feces for as long as 4 months. Anti-HAA antibody response in the serum was characterized by infrequent appearance of small amounts of γG antibody 2 to 3 months after the initial detection of antigen in the serum. No antibody activity was detected after 7 months. The response in the nasopharynx and urine was characterized by transient appearance of small amounts of γA and infrequently of γG class of antibody. The response in the fecal extracts was characterized initially by frequent appearance of HAA-anti-HAA complexes. Subsequently, appreciable levels of free γA antibody to HAA were detected for as long as 8 months. It is suggested that HAA may replicate in various mucosal surfaces, and such a mechanism may explain the nonparenteral transmission of long incubation hepatitis.

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