Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of receptors specific for polymerized human albumin (RPHA) associated with hepatitis virus B and on the surface of normal hepatocytes and it has been suggested that polymerized human albumin (PHA) may constitute the bonding point for hepatitis virus B (HVB) and the hepatocytes.
RPHA determination is a useful early prognostic marker for acute hepatitis. Besides elevated RPHA titers in patients with chronic HVB, it is linked to DNA polymerase activity (HVB-DNAp) and a high viral response.
The characteristics of RPHA and serum levels in both acute and chronic HVB are studied and the usefulness of its determination underlined.