Chronic viral hepatitis B in childhood

Abstract

The results of immunological studies in serum and liver tissue from 26 patients with chronic HBsAgpositive hepatitis (15 CPH, 9 CAH, 2 MinH) are presented.Determination of serum immunoglobulins showed no significant differences between the three categories of HBsAg-positive CH. AGF, ANA and AMA were not demonstrable in our patients.HBsAg and anti-HBc were demonstrated in all patients, HBeAg in 16, anti-HBe in 6 patients. 2 children had anti-HBs antibodies.Elevated D N A polymerase activity was found in 8 of 12 HBeAg-seropositive and 0 of 9 HBeAg-seronegative patients.HBcAg was present in liver tissue from 9 of 10 HBeAg-seropositive and 1 of 9 HBeAg-seronegative children. In some cases the classification of viral antigen expression patterns according to the studies of Bianchi and Gudat did not correspond to the histological diagnosis and the presence of serum HBeAg.Studies in 51 family members of 23 children showed a high incidence of HBsAg carriers among the siblings and frequent evidence of anti-HBs in the mothers. Altogether, contact with HBV was demonstrated in 28 of the relatives studied.