e‐antigen and age in acute and chronic type B hepatitis

摘要: The influence of e-antigen upon the course and outcome acute type B hepatitis was studied in a series 202 patients. Of these, 54 (27%) had e-Ag, detected serum at same time as HBsAg during incubation period or onset. In 39 patients (73%) e-Ag disappeared within eight weeks after onset, regularly followed by clearance approximately four later; anti-HBs shortly thereafter 34 cases. 15 (28%) e-Ag-positive 4 (3%) e-Ag-negative patients, persisted for one year longer; chronic developed 13 these cases, 12 which were e-Ag-positive. Among e-Ag-positives only those cases also persisted; all persons under years age. Transaminase bilirubin values equally high with resolving hepatitis, but low from start who later liver conditions, irrespective presence absence e-Ag. It is concluded that disappearance this antigen good prognostic sign, whereas its persistence beyond weeks, especially young children transaminase response, signals evolution towards chronicity.