[Relationship between the presence of polymerized human serum albumin receptors and the level of virus replication in chronic hepatitis B virus infection]

[Article in Spanish]

Mora Pérez I, Carreño García V, Porres Cubero JC, Gútiez Cuevas J, Hernández Guío C.

The presence of receptors for polymerized human serum albumin (RPHSA) using passive hemagglutination in 202 patients with HBsAg, was determined. The RPHSA were differentiated from the anti-albumin antibodies by immunofluorescence.

Of the 202 individuals in the study, 71 were positive for RPHSA. The highest RPHSA percentage was found in HBeAg +, HBV-DNAp + individuals (96%) followed by HBeAg +, HBV-DNAp - (48%) and the antiHBe + individuals (17%). There was a significant correlation between RPHSA titers and HBV-DNAp activity (r=0.573, p<0.01). Although HBeAg titers were similar, RPHSA titers from HBV-DNAp positive patients were higher than those from HBV-DNAp negative ones. No relationship was found between the presence of RPHSA and the severity of the histological lesion.

The authors conclude that RPHSA are indicators of the degree of viral replication, independent from the HBeAg titer.