Detection of HBeAg/anti‐HBe immune complexes in the reactivation of hepatitis B virus replication among anti‐HBe chronic carriers

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Abstract
ABSTRACT— Sixty‐four chronic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers with hepatitis B e antibody (anti‐HBe) were followed in order to detect reactivations of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and to assess the incidence and specificity of hepatitis B e antigen/hepatitis B e antibody (HBeAg/anti‐HBe) immune complexes (ICs). In 18 out of 19 patients who suffered an increase in alanine transaminase (ALT) values, serum HBV‐DNA reappeared co‐occurring with the peak(s) of transminases. HBeAg/anti‐HBe immune complexes were detected in 17/18 (94.4%) patients positive for HBV‐DNA. In nine of them, the appearance of immune complexes co‐occurred with prednisone therapy, in two following seroconversion after recombinant interferon alpha‐2A treatment, and spontaneously in the remaining seven patients. When ALT levels dropped to normal values, immune complexes as well as HBV‐DNA became undetectable. In conclusion, the detection of HBeAg/anti‐HBe immune complexes seems to be a specific method to detect HBV replication among anti‐HBe positive patients.