Detection of hepatitis B virus DNA in serum and relation with the IgM class anti-HBc titers in hepatitis B virus infection.

Sera from four groups of patients wtih different serologic markers of HBV infection were examined for HBV DNA using molecular hybridization technique and for IgM class anti-HBc using an ELISA based on the antibody capture principle. Results of HBV DNA assay were generally in good agreement with the presence of HBeAg. However, HBV DNA was found in 13% of anti-HBe+ sera and in one patient with anti-HBc as a sole marker. IgM anti-HBc was detected at high titers in acute hepatitis B patients and was also present during the "window-period." This marker was also found, though less frequently when other markers for HBV infectivity were absent, in chronic hepatitis B patients and healthy carriers. From these findings we conclude that the HBV DNA assay provides a reliable method of detecting the infectious agent, particularly in anti-HBe+ sera and sera with anti-HBc as a sole marker. The assay for IgM anti-HBc is useful for establishing the diagnosis of recent infection in patient with anti-HBc as a sole marker, and during acute hepatitis with very high aminotransferase values, a condition in which HBV DNA may be undetectable.