Lymphocyte stimulation in hepatitis B infections.

Cell-mediated responses in patients with acute and chronic forms of Type B hepatitis were tested by lymphocyte transformation to purified hepatitis surface antigen (HBS Ag) and to phytohemagglutinin, by dinitrochlorobenzene sensitization and by response to skin-test antigens. Although absent during acute Type B hepatitis, lymphocyte transformation by HBS Ag appeared during early convalescence and remained detectable for six years after recovery. Patients with Type B chronic active hepatitis with increased serum transaminase levels showed a partial lymphocyte transformation with HBS Ag, whereas those with normal transaminase values demonstrated no transformation. Patients with Type B chronic persistent hepatitis and carriers of HBS Ag did not have lymphocyte transformation. Normal responses to dinitrochlorobenzene, intradermal skin tests and phytohemmaglutinin were found in all patients with acute, chronic active or chronic persistent hepatitis and carriers. These results indicate that recovery from Type B hepatitis is associated with the ability to elicit a specific lymphocyte response to HBS Ag.