Antibodies to single-stranded DNA: an aid in diagnosis of viral hepatitis.

In clinical and subclinical viral hepatitis a significant increase of antibodies to single-stranded DNA revealed by the prepatent stage of the disease before any elevation of serum transaminases. In type A hepatitis, a rise in anti-DNA titers was detectable one to two weeks before onset of clinical and biochemical signs; in type B hepatitis, the rise of anti-DNA coincided with or preceded the appearance of HBSAg, several weeks before the onset of clinical illness. In both hepatitis types anti-DNA titers reached a peak (640--2,560) at onset and dropped shortly after serum transaminases returned to normal at the end of acute illness. The anti-DNA response in non-A/non-B hepatitis was of similar magnitude. Anti-DNA elevation was the only positive sign found in most silent infections of either type that later showed specific seroconversion. Anti-DNA levels in noninfected contacts were in the same range as those found in a group of health individuals. The anti-DNA test is useful for early diagnosis of viral hepatitis and should be a valuable addition to current epidemiological and clinical procedures.