Immunoglobulin A antibody against hepatitis B core antigen of polymeric and monomeric forms, as well as of IgA1 and IgA2 subclasses, in acute and chronic infection with hepatitis B virus.

Solid-phase radioimmunoassays using monoclonal antibodies were used to assay antibody to hepatitis B core antigen of immunoglobulin A class in terms of polymeric and monomeric forms, as well as of IgA1 and IgA2 subclasses, in the serum of persons infected with hepatitis B virus. The level of secretory immunoglobulin A antibody was significantly higher in patients with acute hepatitis (mean +/- S.E., sample per normal ratio = 29.2 +/- 1.9) than that in asymptomatic carriers (2.1 +/- 0.1), patients with chronic persistent hepatitis (3.5 +/- 0.5), patients with chronic active hepatitis (6.9 +/- 1.3) or patients with cirrhosis (5.8 +/- 1.1). In acute type B hepatitis, only polymeric immunoglobulin A antibody of either IgA1 or IgA2 subclass was detected. In contrast, in chronic infection, antibody to hepatitis B core antigen of IgA2 subclass was found in the polymeric form, but antibody of IgA1 subclass was detected in both polymeric and monomeric forms.