Excess HBcAg in HBc antibody–negative chronic hepatitis B virus carriers
Yamina Lazizi, Pascal Dubreuil, Jacques Pillot – 1 June 1993 – HBcAg and antibody to HBcAg were assayed in chronic hepatitis B virus carriers who were not reactive for HBc antibodies on available commercial tests. HBc antibody–negative sera, collected before the onset of the acute phase in recovering patients, were used as controls. A high level of HBcAg was detected in HBc antibody–negative chronic hepatitis B virus carriers after dissociative treatment. HBcAg levels were correlated with serum hepatitis B virus DNA levels.