PRE S1 ANTIGEN IN DIFFERENT FORMS OF HEPA TITIS-B VIRUS-INFECTION

Pre S1 antigen was measured using an ELISA technique in patients with different forms of hepatitis B virus infection. It was detected in 10 of 19 patients with acute hepatitis B (53%), 12 of 15 chronic hepatiti s B virus carriers (80%), 9 of 11 patients with chronic hepatitis B (8 2%) and 3 of 4 patients with hepatoma and positive markers of hepatiti s B virus infection. Pre S1 remained positive beyond 150 days in two p atients with acute hepatitis that evolved to chronicity. Among subject s with chronic hepatitis B that received interferon, pre S1 antigen ne gativized only in the patient that had a complete response. Pre S1 det ection is an index of hepatitis B virus replication and its persistenc e determines chronicity. Its negativization after antiviral therapy sh ould have a predicitive value.