[Radioimmunological determination of HBeAg/anti-HBe in HBsAg-positive liver diseases and in "healthy" HBsAg carriers].

This paper describes a "solid-phase"-radioimmunoassay for the demonstration of HBeAg and anti-HBe. The investigations revealed the following results: 1. HBeAg is positive in all patients with acute type B-hepatitis during the acute phase of illness. During the normal course of the disease HBeAg turns to negative followed by an anti-HBe lasting for several months. 2. Cases with a persistent virus B-replication as HBsAg-positive CPH, CAH or patients on hemodialysis are positive for HBeAg in their serum. By means of the fluorescent antibody technique these patients have demonstrable HBcAg and HBeAg in their liver biopsies. 3. Healthy HBsAg carriers are anti-HBe-positive in their serum. In their liver biopsies there are no signs of an on-going virus B-replication (HBsAg and HBeAg negative). 4. The radioimmunological determination of HBeAg and anti-HBe enables us to differentiate between the groups with HBsAg positive acute or chronic hepatitis and the group of healthy HBsAg-carriers.